What Do Critics Think of Shakespeare in the Park’s Julius Caesar? | Playbill

The Verdict What Do Critics Think of Shakespeare in the Park’s Julius Caesar? Public Theater artistic director Oskar Eustis uses the Trump presidency as the concept for this controversial take on Shakespeare’s political drama.

The Public Theater's Shakespeare in the Park production of Julius Caesar officially opens June 12. Artistic Director Oskar Eustis directs the political drama at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park. Previews began May 23.

The staging of Shakespeare's classic has come under scrutiny for its Donald Trump-like portrayal of the assassinated title character. In recent days, both Delta Air Lines and Bank of America that they were withdrawing their sponsorship of the production.

Julius Caesar is scheduled to run through June 18.

Reviews are beginning to be published. Check back for updates.

amNY (Matt Windman)

Deadline (Jeremy Gerard)

Hollywood Reporter (Frank Scheck)

National Review (Kyle Smith)

NBC New York (Robert Kahn)

Newsday (Elisabeth Vincentelli)

New York Times (Jesse Green)

Time Out New York (Adam Feldman)

Variety (Marilyn Stasio)

VIew photos from the production below:

See Elizabeth Marvel and Corey Stoll Take the Stage in Trump-Inspired Julius Caesar in Central Park

The cast is comprised of Tina Benko as Calpurnia, Teagle F. Bougere as Casca, Yusef Bulos as Cinna the Poet, Eisa Davis as Decius Brutus, Robert Gilbert as Octavius, Gregg Henry as Caesar, Edward James Hyland as Lepidus, Popilius, Nikki M. James as Portia, Christopher Livingston as Titinius, Cinna, Elizabeth Marvel as Antony, Chris Myers as Flavius, Messala, and Ligarius, Marjan Neshat as Metullus Cimber, Corey Stoll as Marcus Brutus, John Douglas Thompson as Caius Cassius, Natalie Woolams-Torres as Marullus, Isabel Arraiza as Publius Clitus, and Erick Betancourt, Mayaa Boateng as Soothsayer, Motell Foster as Trebonius, and Dash King, Tyler La Marr as Lucillius, Gideon McCarty; Nick Selting as Lucius and Strato, Alexander Shaw as Octavius’ Servant, Michael Thatcher as Cobbler, and Justin Walker White as Pindarus.

Last seen on the Delacorte stage 17 years ago, Shakespeare’s political masterpiece Julius Caesar tells the tale of a power-hungry leader and the band of patriots who oppose him. The production will be followed by the bard’s popular comedy A Midsummer Night's Dream—a story of young love, fantasy, and fairies directed by Lear deBessonet.

The cast of A Midsummer Night's Dream includes Bhavesh Patel as Theseus, Phylicia Rashad as Titania, Annaleigh Ashford as Helena, and Kristine Nielsen as Puck. Performances will begin July 11 in Central Park, where it will play through August 13.

Free tickets to both productions will be distributed, two per person, at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park beginning at 12 PM on the day of each performance. TodayTix is also offering an exclusive Mobile Ticket Lottery for Julius Caesar and A Midsummer Night's Dream, with tickets available via the TodayTix app. Visit PublicTheater.org.

(Updated June 12, 2017)

 
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