By Brittany Hanson/Garden Grove Journal
Why perform “Julius Caesar”? Because it needs to be done. According to Tom Bradac, a founding member of and director for Shakespeare Orange County, the play of “Julius Caesar” has not been performed by the company since 1993 and needs to take to the stage again.
The play opens today (Thursday)and runs until July 23, showing on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at the Garden Grove Festival Amphitheatre at 12740 Main St.
“Julius Caesar” is a Shakespearean tragedy about the Roman leader of the same name, his rise to power, his end and the lives of the men around him.
Although the play begins with the rise of Julius Caesar and his camaraderie it ends with deception, conspiracy, greed and death while following the protagonist, Marcus Brutus.
“This is one of the great tragedies of Shakespeare,” said Bradac. “It has some of the greatest speeches and quotes in it . . . for example there is ‘Friends, Romans, Countrymen’ in it . . . this really is a great play about great men saying great words in a tumultuous time.”
Director Carl Reggiardo is cast as the play’s namesake, posing for him the challenge of directing himself.
“It wasn’t the idea that I would do Julius Caesar at all, it was Tom Bradac’s idea. I’m trying to direct it as though I was working with another actor, “said Reggiardo, “Caesar is a focal point of the play, but far, far from the largest part of the play.”
One of the things that Reggiardo said he is enjoying is the garb of the play, aptly suited for warm summer climates.
“We are doing it in period [costume], Roman period, and having a good time at that, wearing our togas as we go along,” said Reggiardo.
David Denman, of the TV series “The Office,” returns to the Festival Amphitheatre as Brutus, the close friend of Caesar who turns against him out of fear of a coming tyranny.
For tickets to “Julius Caesar” call (714) 590-1575 or go to www.shakespeareoc.org.
