Upstart Crows Of Santa Fe Performs JULIUS CAESAR At The Santa Fe Botanical Garden

Upstart Crows of Santa Fe perform Julius Caesar with two casts at the Santa Fe Botanical Garden, Fridays and Saturdays, July 27, 28, and August 3, and 4 at 6 p.m.

Shakespeare's Roman tragedy is perennially timely. Last summer's Public Theater production in New York ignited outrage with its modern staging. The plot and characters have always stirred passions.

Should Marcus Brutus and the plotting Cassius join Judas Iscariot in the mouth of Satan as Dante portrays them in the Inferno. Or were they, as early 19th century American history texts suggested, noble defenders of the republic against tyranny who made fatal errors in their battle against Caesar's cult of personality.

Julius Caesar has returned to Rome triumphant from the war against Pompey. The Roman republic is prepared to heap him with new honors, causing concern and dismay among some senators who fear that too much power is held by one man.

Caius Cassius plots a conspiracy to murder Caesar, enlisting the support of the well-respected Marcus Brutus. Brutus has misgivings but is persuaded that Caesar's death is necessary for the good of the republic but he rejects Cassius' proposal that Mark Antony, close friend of Caesar, should also be killed. Brutus, Cassius and their co-conspirators stab Caesar to death at the senate house on the Ides of March.

At Caesar's funeral Brutus addresses the people and successfully explains the conspirators' motives. However, by Brutus' permission, Mark Antony speaks next. Antony's powerful rhetoric turns the mob against the conspirators, who are forced to flee from Rome.

Mark Antony and Caesar's nephew, Octavius, take command of Rome and lead an army against the conspirators. Brutus and Cassius are defeated at Philippi where they kill themselves rather than be captured.

Tickets $10 at the door or online. Young audience members may take advantage of Santa Fe's Youth Culture Passport and attend for free: https://www.santafenm.gov/santa_fe_youth_cultural_passport Tickets

Upstart Crows of Santa Fe are Santa Fe's youth Shakespeare troupe. They produce plays, workshops and the Youth Shakespeare Festival in association with the International Shakespeare Center.

The company of young people, ages 10-18, focus on understanding and performing the works of William Shakespeare. Actors experience the plays first hand, exploring Shakespeare's language and meaning with the help of experienced directors. No prior acting experience is necessary and there are no auditions - all who wish to participate will receive substantial roles. Performances evolve from participants gaining an in-depth understanding of the material and collaboration on the production.

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