|
 |
Great Caesar's Ghost! Denzel Does as the Romans Do as Broadway Brutus in Julius Caesar, Opening April 3
By Robert Simonson
03 Apr 2005
 |
|
Denzel Washington in Julius Caesar
|
| photo by Joan Marcus | Film star Denzel Washington stars as Marcus Brutus in a new Daniel Sullivan- directed production of Shakespeare's military tragedy Julius Caesar, opening at the Belasco Theatre on April 3, after previews March 8.
"Et tu, Brute," will be spoken by William Sadler, who takes on the role of Caesar in Shakespeare's rendition of the most famous assassination in history, its participants and its fallout. Jessica Hecht will play Brutus' wife Portia. Colm Feore is Denzel's conspirator, the "lean and hungry" Cassius, and Eamonn Walker is his nemesis, Marc Antony.
Also in the cast are Tamara Tunie and Jack Willis as Caesar’s wife, Calpurnia, and Casca, respectively.
The ensemble is completed by Stephen Lee Anderson, Jacqueline Antaramian, Kelly AuCoin, Ed Onipede Blunt, David Cromwell, Keith Davis, Peter Jay Fernandez, Seth Fisher, Steven M. Jones, Ty Jones, Aaron Krohn, Quentin Maré, Christopher McHale, Mark Mineart, Dan Moran, Jason Manuel Olazábal, Howard W. Overshown, Patrick Page, Kurt Rhoads, John Douglas Thompson, Richard Topol and Henry Woronicz.
Sullivan sets the tragedy in what looks like a post-apocalyptic Rome, in which soldiers carrying automatic weapons rome through classical ruins and senators have to endure metal detectors before entering the Senate. (The sets are by Ralph Funicello). Costume designer Jess Goldstein decks Brutus, Cassius and their conspirators in conservative suits and, later, army fatigues and berets. Casca, meanwhile, gets a flamboyant blood red walking stick, and the Soothsayer who warns Caesar of The Ides of March is a homeless man pushing a shopping cart.
The design team also features Mimi Jordan Sherin (lighting design), Dan Moses Schreier (original music and sound design), Gregory Meeh (special effects), Robin F. McFarquhar (fight direction) and Charles LaPointe (wig and hair design).
Washington earned Oscars for his turns in the films "Training Day" and "Glory." The actor is also known for his work in "Philadelphia," "Malcolm X," "The Hurricane," "The Manchurian Candidate" and his recent directorial debut, "Antwone Fisher." Washington last appeared on Broadway in 1988's Checkmates.
Daniel Sullivan is known for such disparate efforts as Proof, A Moon for the Misbegotten, The Retreat From Moscow, Major Barbara and The Heidi Chronicles.
Julius Caesar hasn't been seen on Broadway since 1950. It was recently produced in Central Park by the Public Theater, with a cast including Jeffrey Wright.
 |
|
From Left: Denzel Washington, Patrick Page and William Sadler in Julius Caesar
|
| photo by Joan Marcus |
Contact Us | Advertise | Privacy Policy
Send questions and comments to the Webmaster
Copyright © 2008 Playbill, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
|
|
|
|
|