Review: Door Shakespeare's Fiercely Human JULIUS CAESAR Examines Political Friends and Foes

While William Shakespeare's Julius Caesar dramatically retells history through rich verse, Door Shakespeare at Baileys Harbor's Björklunden gives the play a fiercely human touch in this intimate garden setting. Here a serene rose garden might be enjoyed before the show, directly accessible from the bleacher theater seating. While Director and Milwaukee Rep Artistic Associate James Pickering focuses Shakespeare's political tragedy on the personal relationships between Brutus and Caesar, Cassius and Brutus or Brutus and Portia, Marc Anthony weaves between these relationships before laying rest to the murdered dictator in his famous, "Friends, Romans, Countrymen" oration... In the lush garden on this moonlit stage, the tragic drama acquires a highly intimate and personal interpretation between the litany of interconnections crossing the moral lines between friends and foes, honor and honesty.

Through this emotive interpretation, the story resonates with more clarity than when observed purely as political drama. Staged on Scenic Designer Aaron Kopec's balcony and stairs surrounding an ancient, magnificent tree and experienced last season, a circular wooden stage on the ground provides the catalyst for the main action besides seating for actors. While the actors run freely in and through the side aisles, Karin Simonson Kopischke's apocalyptic styled garments channel Roman togas mingled with futuristic Star Wars and a touch of Ottoman Empire costume. Constructed in desert shaded, muted colors, except for Caesar and Calphurnia, clothEd Royally in white and gold, the costumes add a mysterious ambiance to the political uncertainty.

John Taylor Phillips plays Caesar with a regal, yet caring persona, allowing his masculinity and foibles to appear, even while ascertaining his divine rights as Emperor. Again, Marti Gobel matches wits as Caesar's Calphurnia, who ultimately yields to her husband's desires and disregards the soothsayer and her own nightmares, where the chemistry between the two engages audiences again.

However, Demetrius E. Troy displays a Brutus ferociously torn between patriotism and personal friendship, including the disagreements in his relationship to Cassius--a dramatic Norman Moses. These two men disagree about how to defeat Joe Bianco's Marc Antony, a Roman outside the band of conspirators who eventually assassinate Caesar, while he eventually defeats all those who participated in the bloodshed.

In Shakespeare's less visible roles, Anne E. Thompson's Portia gives heartbreaking resonance to her husband Brutus' stressful decision, a scene many spouses might relate to, especially in today's tumultuous world. The three siblings--Elliott, Luke and John Brotherhood known in Milwaukee for their theater work at First Stage and Milwaukee Rep-do both Brutus's servant Lucius (Luke) and emperor to be Octavius (John) great theatrical justice. The trio provides inspiration for all those theatergoers under 18, and proves to be a special treats to view all three family members on a singular stage.

While the real life political scene unfolds throughout the country and world this year, amid more unprecedented violence than previously seen, Julius Caesar timelessly illustrates that rarely is the truth simple, or political forces clearly understood. Examining the consequences to what could be a leader's well executed or well thought out strategy, delineated from any lies being told to him or his supporters, while a leader still functions as a husband, father and friend.

Shakespeare wrote no true "villains"---neither Caesar, Cassius, Brutus or Anthony, were without exceptional qualities that created the leaders they were. Each character displayed a variable emotional and human side, struggling with their relationships personally and politically without apology. Each character represents a very human man, none invincible, who believed what they choose to be "correct," the right course needed for a particular time and place. Perhaps in the harsh light of any recent political tragedies, the audience might question is assassination, murder, violence ever viewed as justifiable for " a worthy cause?" When does war, on an individual or national level, ever become the most tolerable solution?

Plunge deeper into Shakespeare's play and Pickering's sensitive development of the characters' humanity under the guidance of Artistic Director Amy J. Ludwigsen this summer. Audiences will remember that betrayals pierce the heart figuratively on multiple levels, personal decisions can change the course of history, friendships might be defended or denied, and permanent goodbyes to loved ones become difficult under any circumstances. Each one of these circumstances begs Shakespeare's famous statement: "The fault is not in our stars/But in ourselves."

Is history, either personal or political, does destiny define future unable to be transformed? Or does destiny lie within the human heart of each individual by examining their ability to change the future? Visit the garden this summer, and watch on the stage to discover several possible answers to these penetrating questions at Door Shakespeare's evocative Julius Caesar.

Door Shakespeare presents Julius Caesar at Björklunden in Baileys Harbor through August 23. For further information about special events, wine nights, Annual Gala on Sunday, July 31, performance schedule or tickets, please call 920.839.1500 or www.doorshakepeare.com

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