By Brittany Hanson/Garden Grove Journal
Friends, Readers, Garden Grove-ians, lend me your eyes . . . and take a suggestion to go see “Julius Caesar.” Shakespeare Orange County has brought the Bard’s Roman tragedy back to the stage after a long hiatus.
Playing at the Garden Grove Festival Amphitheatre at 12740 Main St. until July 23, this production of “Julius Caesar” takes the classic language of Shakespeare and decodes it for the audience with wit and action.
The story of the betrayal of publicly beloved Julius Caesar, played by director Carl Reggiardo, is well-executed (no pun intended) by the three leads; Reggiardo, David Denman as Marcus Brutus and John Walcutt as Caius Cassius.
Reggiardo plays a grand, fatherly Caesar who approaches the fame of the public with grace and affection. His facial expressions and “father knows best” voice bring the famed Roman conqueror to life.
Even if only for a brief time.
Brutus, as played by Denman, becomes a very likable friend that is easily pitied as he struggles with his decisions.
Denman makes Brutus look truly pained through the stress he puts on his wife Portia, humorously played by Amanda Zarr, the action to go to war, the frustration with Cassius and finally the peace Brutus finds within his own death.
Walcutt’s portrayal of Cassius is very good. Cassius is not only a jealous schemer that has delusions of grandeur; he is an irritable older man who has a serious mean streak.
Walcutt makes him a very cranky Cassius, grating, belligerent and arrogant. This Cassius is the guest at the party who won’t stop talking about politics even though everyone feels awkward.
The show is enjoyable, well-done and well-acted. The play shows on Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 8:15 p.m. Tickets are $34, however there are discounts for seniors, students and groups.
