Beware the ides of November!
If you would like to see a cathartic beat-down of ambitious politicians, lend your ears to Bay Ridge theater company Act-Out!, which will present five performances of Shakespeare’s “Julius Caesar” starting Aug. 13. The absurdity and vitriol of this year’s presidential election inspired the group to choose Shakespeare’s tragedy of political betrayal and assassination for its annual production in Narrows Botanical Garden, says the show’s director.
“We picked it this year because it’s set in political turmoil in Rome, and it seems that is the theme in our election this year — a lot of betrayal and a lot of political games going on,” said Michael Artzer, who also plays Caesar. “And there are conspiracies and a lot of judging of the other character and pointing fingers. It seemed only appropriate.”
The company is keeping the show faithful to the Bard’s script — it is set in Rome, not the District of Columbia, and the characters wear period-appropriate togas. But Artzer has made two changes to reflect the current election — both nods to the glass-ceiling breaking candidacy of Hillary Clinton. First, Artzer cast a woman in one of the lead roles — Cassius, a conspirator against Caesar, although he said that the Democratic nominee does not totally resemble Caesar’s betrayer.
“She’s not necessarily Cassius, but she’s definitely a dark character,” he said.
And at then end of the play, it is Portia, the wife of Caesar-slayer Brutus, who takes the crown.
“It seemed only fitting that a female triumphs,” said Artzer.
The Act-Out! company has performed a Shakespeare play at the Narrows Botanical Garden each summer since 2010, with audiences stretching out on the grass to watch the show. For this performance, the cast will guide the audience to surround Caesar for the assassination.
Despite the bloody end of the play, Artzer said that re-reading the centuries-old tragedy gave him some peace of mind about the current election cycle, because it made him realize that even the villains of the piece are doing what they think is right.
“No one’s intentionally screwing up, no one’s intentionally making bad choices,” he said. “In terms of the election for America, they’re just doing what they think is right. Everyone is entitled to that in some way, so it makes me judge the political candidates a little less harshly.”
“Julius Caesar” at Narrows Botanic Garden [7200 Shore Rd. between Bay Ridge Avenue and 72nd Street in Bay Ridge]. Aug. 13, 14, and 21 at 7 pm. Aug. 20 at 2 pm and 7 pm. $10 suggested donation.
