The Tragedy of ‘Julius Caesar’ takes the Norvell stage next week
Published 12:00 am Thursday, February 8, 2018
- PPT will present its youth production of Shakespeare's Julius Caesar at the Norvell theater. JON C. LAKEY / SALISBURY POST
First published in 1623, Scholars generally believe that Shakespeare wrote Julius Caesar in 1599, about the same time he wrote the comedy As You Like It. One of several plays Shakespeare wrote based on true events from Roman history, Julius Caesar is a tragedy about the noted Roman general who made himself ruler of Rome in 44BC.
Shakespeare most likely borrowed from historical sources for Julius Caesar, including an English translation of Lives of the Noble Greeks and Romans by the Roman historian Plutarch.
Although named Julius Caesar, the play really focuses more on the character of Brutus, a close friend of the title character, and his struggle between the conflicting demands of honor, patriotism, and friendship.
Piedmont Players Youth Theatre production of Julius Caesar is PPT’s 8th grade school show. All Rowan County 8th grade classes will take a field trip to the Norvell Theater to see the live stage production Feb. 13–15. Public Show Dates: Feb. 16-17 and 23-24 at 7:30 p.m. For tickets call 704-633-5471 or purchase online at PiedmontPlayers.com. Adults $12, students/seniors $10. Producing Partners: Edward & Susan Norvell.
Who was Julius Caesar?
Julius Caesar was a Roman politician and general who played a critical role in the events that led to the demise of the Roman Republic and the rise of the Roman Empire. Considered by many historians to be one of the greatest military commanders in history, Caesar’s victories and achievements gained him unmatched military power and influence, causing some to become concerned he may become too powerful. When the Senate ordered Caesar to step down from his military command and return to Rome, he refused, resulting in a civil war.
After winning the war and assuming control of government, Caesar began to make serious social and governmental reforms, but the underlying political conflicts had not been resolved.
Ignoring the warning of a soothsayer (Beware the Ides of March), Caesar was assassinated by a group of rebellious senators, including his friend, Brutus on March 15, 44 BC.
The assassination of Caesar sparked a series of civil wars and the constitutional government of the Republic was never fully restored. Caesar’s adopted heir Octavian (later known as Augustus) rose to sole power after defeating his opponents in the war and the era of the Roman Empire began.
Did you know?
- Denzel Washington played the role of Brutus in a 2005 production of Julius Caesar on Broadway.
- John Wilkes Booth, the assassin of Abraham Lincoln, claimed to be inspired by Brutus. Booth’s father, Junius Brutus Booth, was named for Brutus, and Booth and his brother had performed in a production of Julius Caesar in New York just 6 months before the assassination. On the night of the assassination, Booth is alleged to have shouted Sic semper tyrannis (a phrase attributed to Brutus) while leaping to the stage of Ford’s Theater.
Meet the Cast
CAESAR: GARRETT JENNINGS 11th Grade, North Rowan High School
CALPURNIA: MALLORY FREEZE 12th Grade, Concord High School
BRUTUS: JOSEPH CLARK 11th Grade, Gray Stone
PORTIA: ELLIE JONES 9th Grade, Salisbury High School
CASSIUS: JONAH EVANS 12th Grade, Carson High School
CASCA : ELIJAH CARPENTER 10th Grade, Carson High School
CINNA: LAURA BULLOCK 11th Grade, Salisbury High School
DECIUS: KEVIN LEICHMAN 11th Grade, North Rowan High School
LIGARUS: HANNAH WELLS 11th Grade, Davie County High School
METELLUS CIMBER: JAIME WEAVER 8th Grade, North Hills Christian School
TREBONIUS & LUCILLIUS: CHRISTIAN MILLER 11th Grade, Salisbury High School
CICERO: CLAIRE GARNER 11th Grade, Salisbury High School
PUBLIUS : MEG BIVENS 7th Grade, China Grove Middle School
POPILLIUS LAENA: EMMA PATTERSON 10th Grade, DCCC Early Collegel
FLAVIUS: COHEN JOYNER 7th Grade, Southeast Middle School
MURELLUS: CHLOE CORLEY 12th Grade, Gray Stone
MARK ANTONY: ALI KHATIB 8th Grade, North Rowan Middle School
LEPIDUS: MYA LANGFORD 8th Grade, Knox Middle School
OCTAVIUS: JACOB JACKSON 10th Grade, JL Jackson Academy
PINDARUS: MEREDITH SWAIM 10th Grade, West Rowan High School
SOOTHSAYER: ISAIAH ENAIGBE 8th Grade, Knox Middle School
ARTEMIDORUS: DEREK BRECHBILL 6th Grade, Homeschooled
CINNA THE POET: JESSICA DRIVER 12th Grade, Rowan Early College
PLEBEIANS, SOLDIERS & SENATORS
GRACE MCCOY 9th Grade, Homeschooled
FREYA OBERMUELLER 11th Grade, Salisbury High School
MATTHEW LYNCH 6th Grade, Homeschooled
GRACIE SPIELER 5th Grade, Homeschooled
FARES KHATIB. 7th Grade, North Rowan Middle School
MEGAN PENDERGRASS 8th Grade, Southeast Middle School
COURTNEY WILLIAMS 7th Grade, Salisbury Academy
EVA WALTERS 5th Grade, Morgan Elementary School
LYDIA SPRINKLE. 5th Grade, Morgan Elementary School