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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (Oct. 16, 1998)
THEATER •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••a* ▼ Hail Caesar! Contemporary context enhances brrs a wv^ [ Shakespeare’s classic Julius Caesar by F lora S ussely Hw fWafoi Senior I fwick | K allowhu C ostume P otluck G ala f £ SaJiycfy, October from WO to fa.00^ at the Sou-fet MMwal Center Senior Servin £ £ SvveJkh M»M, ¿¿der, Oootiu, F7rizzx £ fee trir^. a ¿do dkh to share- and join in the fUI. £ C4for more- inforwation. ‘MIO $£• ßdront” Ifdair; to the ftjhi J Eric Newsome (left) as Brutus and Deanna Wells as Cassius in Tygres Heart’s Julius Caeser candlelight, his wife begging him for reason. Cassius is conniving and convincing; men in hats and trench coats and a relay of stabbings lead up to the beautiful Marcus Antonius eulo Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar opened Fri gizing Caesar and inciting civil war. day, Oct. 9, to a small but enthusiastic audi Director Doug Miller employed a collection ence. Among them my son, who shouted and of hilarious double-entendres, including dress rabble-roused right along with the diehard ing Brutus and his entourage in Fidel Castro- Shakespeare aficionados. esque garb for the revolution. Kris Menger’s Tygres Heart set the stage by having ushers costumes and props were so on-target that wear those silly campaign hats worn at political Miller’s vision was crystal clear. It felt like conventions and handing out election buttons watching a documentary about some modem declaring “Julius Caesar, Right for Rome.” This rebels and this year’s won the hearts of the election. For those of you who think children in the audi The actors sit and ence. stand among the audi you don't (or won't) like The program, like ence to shout and wise, is printed as a spe protest and argue. Shakespeare, I would usually There cial election edition of a are no dull newspaper, and the the moments. For those of recommend a comedy, but this you who think you ater is set up as a senate chamber. A U.S. flag don’t (or won’t) like is a good beginner play — hangs in the back Shakespeare, 1 would ground, podiums bear usually recommend a at least the way Tygres congressional insignia, comedy, but this is a and pages in navy blue good beginner play—at has presented it. blazers appear and dis least the way Tygres appear. has presented it. Tygres Heart drops The only negative thing 1 can say is that, at Shakespeare’s entire play into a contemporary times, the speeches were delivered too quickly. U.S. context. The part of Cassius, the manipu Granted, that’s better than ponderously slow, lative, calculating conductor of this tragedy, but it makes it easy to get lost. This prevented has been cast as woman. Of all the parts that boredom but did leave a lot of us asking “What could have been reversed for a woman, Cassius did he say?" And, not being well-versed in is the one in fashion. 1 guess it’s a little 20th 17th century English, we found ourselves per century misogyny thrown into our current plexed. But not for long. The play moved at a poetic license. As the French say: “Cherche la good clip and soon we were off again. femme.” And “There’s the rub,” as old Will As for individual performances, Tom Lass- would say. well played a dignified, elegant Caesar. Eric For those of you unfamiliar with this tale, it Newsome was a perfectly confused and manip begins as Caesar (Tom Lasswell) is about to be ulated Brutus. Kevin Otos is eloquent and did a elected Dictator for Life. We the audience par captivating job portraying Marcus Antonius. ticipate in cries of “Caesar!,” which my 9-year- The best female performance was delivered by old really enjoyed. Then Cassius, played by Allison Anderson, playing Brutus’ wife, Portia. Deanna Wells, recounts the tale of having wit Anderson is natural, passionate, insistent. In nessed Caesar in the throes of a fever. The her one and only scene, she dominated the story she tells is not of an immortal god, but of stage with her presence from the moment she an ill man crying out for water. And thus the appeared—a perfect juxtaposition to her befud seeds are planted to remove Caesar. dled hubby. Brutus (Eric Newsome) broods and paces by ure, it has stabbings and bloody hand shakes and a wife on her knees and politi cal betrayal—but you can bring the kids! S How about a NEW HOME for the Holidays? Picture Thanksgiving with friends and family in your new home! C linton S treet B ungalow T raditional O ld 2 bedrms+, 1 bath, gorgeous kitchen, original integrity and charm, built-ins, large craft rm or office/laundry area, full basement. Wood floors throughout. This one is a find! Deck and hot tub, profes sional landscaping. $159,000 PDX Large entry, dramatic stairs, leaded glass pocket-doors, hdwood firs, laundry on main, updated kitchen and bath. 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