17 March 2013 Julius Caesar

Yes, on Saint Patrick’s day we went to see a rendition of the English bard’s Julius Caesar at the American Shakespeare Center in Staunton. (Yes, my Irish forebears would not be pleased with me). The production surpassed my expectations. It was not the transcendent experience that was Macbeth at the Globe theater in London in 2010 (I still get chills thinking about that performance), but I have to say–it was a damn fine performance of JC.

We arrived about 30 minutes early to grab general seats in the balcony (the Blackfriars theater is gorgeous, but they don’t allow photography inside–boo), and there was live music up in the Lords’ seating area. It was bluesy, banjo-y and very American/Appalachian. An actor came on stage to talk to us about audience participation, get us psyched up, get us to turn off our mobile phones. The lead singer–dressed in a white suit and wearing shades, started to sing.

“I’m bad and know you it. Clap your hands.”

We clapped.

“I’m bad and you know it. Stomp your feet.”

We stomped.

“I’m bad and you know it. Shout out loud!”

Suddenly we were all shouting, “Caesar! Caesar!” The musicians came down from the balcony and started to act! Seamless, beautiful, surprising transition.

Of course the white-suit, bad-ass guy was Caesar. And you loved him and hated him. Still, his assassination scene was shocking. Sam hid behind her teddy bear during that scene. She did admirably well with her first live Shakespeare. Her favorite parts were the comic bits during the funeral, when Marc Antony manipulates the crowd. We had read a children’s version of Julius Caesar with her and she knew what to expect, but still. Afterward she said, “You know what I don’t like about Shakespeare, Mommy? Everybody dies at the end.”

Poor kid. We’d better take her to a comedy next year.