Story last updated at 2/17/2010 - 2:24 pm
JUNEAU - When we hear the word "tragedy" used to describe a play today, we often think of something that will make us sad. But in Elizabethan times, when Shakespeare was writing, audiences understood tragedy as something powerful and thrilling-as what had to result when people acted in the way that was true to their characters.
The seemingly inevitable betrayals and deaths that result from people being true to themselves are what makes "Julius Caesar" such an interesting play for Theatre in the Rough to present, according to director Aaron Elmore.
"It's a really exciting, roaring story," Elmore said. "The conflicts all seem to arise from their characters. These people aren't really doing the right thing for the wrong reason; they're doing the wrong thing for the right reason."
In the story of Julius Caesar, remaining true to one's character results in quite a few deaths-first the conspiracy to assassinate Caesar, and then the conflicts in the aftermath of his death. Taking part in the assassination is a dear friend of Caesar's, Marcus Brutus-many are familiar with the line "Et tu, Brute?" that Caesar speaks to Brutus when he sees that even his friend is pointing a sword at him.
In true Theatre in the Rough form, bloody deaths in the performance will not be accompanied by any kind of liquid mess, but with red and purple colored scarves.
"It has a pageantry to it, but it's also shocking in its way," Elmore said.
If the mention of "Julius Caesar" takes you back to dull high school readings, you may be pleasantly thrilled by seeing the play performed live.
"A lot of people have been exposed to 'Julius Caesar' in a bad way; they think it's boring," Elmore said. "(Shakespeare's plays) were never meant to be read, ever-they were meant to be memorized and spoken."
And Theatre in the Rough has assembled an all-star cast to bring Shakespeare's words to life. Ed Christian will play Julius Caesar, Katie Jensen plays Marcus Brutus, Dan Reaume plays Mark Antony and Michael Matthews plays Caius Cassius.
Theatre in the Rough's production of "The Tragedy of Julius Caesar" by William Shakespeare will run from Feb. 19 to March 14 at the Alaska Territorial Hall (Old Elks), 117 S. Franklin St.
There will be a free preview Thursday, Feb. 18, and opening night is Friday, Feb. 19. Shows are held Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays through March 13 at 7:30 p.m. There will be a pay-as-you-will performance at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 25 and Sunday matinées March 7 and 14 at 2 p.m.
Friday and Saturday tickets are $18 general advance purchase or $20 at the door, $6 for kids 5 and under, and $15 for students and seniors. Thursday and Sunday tickets are $15 general admission, $5 for kids 5 and under, and $10 for students and seniors.
