Media Contact: Peggy Kearns Dean | T: 571.216.5136 | E: ScenaMedia@gmail.com
This September, Scena Theatre presents a modern interpretation of JULIUS CAESAR, one of the greatest tragedies ever told by The Bard, William Shakespeare.
Washington, DC, August 29, 2017 — The Directors of Scena Theatre are thrilled to launch their 31st season with Julius Caesar—the company's first foray into Shakespeare's work. This classic tragedy will be modernized, drawing parallels between the political turmoil of ancient Rome to that in present-day Washington, DC. Caesar opens on Friday, Sept 1 at 8pm with a reception to follow.
Members of the press: please RSVP to ScenaMedia@gmail.com to reserve your seat for Opening Night or kindly request an alternate performance.
Scena's modern interpretation of Julius Caesar features an all-star, international cast. Alongside many stellar DC actors are David Bryan Jackson (Cassius), who originally hails from England, newcomer Greg Ongao (Soothsayer) from Kenya, and renowned Irish actor Barry McEvoy (Marc Antony), who has performed in three acclaimed Scena productions in recent years. Casting actors from around the globe affirms Scena's mission as DC's premier international theatre. Doing so also perfectly aligns with Director Robert McNamara's vision for the production—that political corruption and civil unrest are timeless and global issues.
McNamara not only directs but also performs as Caesar. This is his first return to the stage since he performed as "Red Peter" in Scena's Report to an Academy last summer at the ATLAS. According to McNamara, he was inspired to produce Caesar because "The play tells the story of power, empire and destruction. It is, in many ways, the ultimate Washington DC power play. Ever since I was 13 years old learning the speeches by heart in a Jesuit school here in DC, I knew the value of this play. It is a story that needs to be seen in Washington—and never forgotten.”
PLOT: Senators Cassius and Brutus are suspicious of Caesar’s growing power in the Republic. They fear he will accept offers to become Emperor. Cassius is jealous, and with his allies, he convinces Brutus to assasinate Caesar. All conspirators stab Caesar to death on the Ides of March. Yet, their troubles have just begun. Citizens unite and rebel. Unrest sweeps Rome. And the rebels flee to Greece, form an army, and wage battle against Caesar-loyalist Mark Antony and his troops in a vain attempt to reclaim power. Political aspirations and the fate of all Rome hang in the balance during this climactic battle.
Press Night: Friday, September 1, 2017 (8pm). Please RSVP to ScenaMedia@gmail.com
Official Run: Sept 1 – 24, 2017 (Thur. – Sat. 8pm; Sun. 3pm; Sat 9/16 & 9/23 3pm)
Industry: Monday, September 18, 2017 (8pm): only $10 for entertainment professionals with ID or credentials
Location: ATLAS Performing Arts Center 1333 H Street NE, Washington, DC 20002
Previews: $15 Now - Aug 31 (See website for specific dates & times)
Venue: ATLAS Performing Arts Center (Lab II)
1333 H Street NE, Washington, DC 20002
Press Info: Email: scenamedia@gmail.com
Phone: 571-216-5136
Press Photos: Click on Press link (at left)
Ticket Cost: $15 - $45
Adults: $40 (Sun., Thur. & Sat. 3pm) and $45 (Fri. & Sat. 8pm)
Students/Seniors w/ ID: $30 (Sun., Thur.& Sat. 3pm) and $35 (Fri. & Sat. 8pm)
Box Office: Click here for Tickets: atlasarts.org
(OR)
Call 202.399.7993 x2.
Actors: Ian Blackwell Rogers, Barry McEvoy, David Bryan Jackson, Ron Litman, Robert McNamara, Anne Nottage, Amanda Forstrom, Bob Sheire, Kim Curtis, David Johnson, Louis Lavoie, Danielle Scott, Kevin Boudreau, Greg Ongao, and Dan Onake.
Designers: Robert McNamara (Director), Jonathan Dahm Robertson (Lighting Designer & Video / Projections Designer), Denise Rose (Sound Designer), Natalia Gleason (Projections Designer), Jonathan Alexander (Lighting Designer), Heather Jackson (Costume Designer), Hannah Fogler (Stage Manager), Anne Nottage (Assistant Director & Literary Manager), Kim Curtis, Amanda Forstrom (Movement Consultants) Robert McNamara (Choreographer), Paul Gallagher (Fight Direction), Robert Sheire (Fight Captain), Rhe'a Roland (Assistant Costume Designer), and Gabriele Jakobi (Resident Director & Dramaturg).
William Shakespeare was an English poet, playwright and actor. He was born on April 26, 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon. His father was a successful local businessman and his mother was the daughter of a landowner. Shakespeare is widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist. He is often called England's national poet and nicknamed the Bard of Avon. He wrote about 38 plays, 154 sonnets, two long narrative poems and a few other verses, of which the authorship of some is uncertain. His plays have been translated into every major living language and are performed more often than those of any other playwright. He died on April 23, 1616 at the age of 52.
SCENA Theatre brings the best international theatre to Washington, DC and stimulates cultural exchange between theatre artists, locally and worldwide. Founded in 1987 under the leadership of Artistic Director Robert McNamara and Managing Director Amy Schmidt, SCENA produces an annual season of plays, seasonally staged readings, as well as a Workshop Series aimed at developing new works from around the globe. To learn more about our mission or past stage productions, please click on About in the left menu.