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Saw the pre-opening show last Saturday night. A very powerful performance by Brutus. You can feel his conflict within you. Very entertaining and moving performance. I recommend it.- Jeof
Bloody and humorless, but I knew what I was getting into. Brutus was good. I thought Mark Anthony miscast. He just didn't look the part, nor carry the gravitas for it. Still, worth the price of admission.- Rick Scott Garrett
I saw a pre-opening show and loved it. Frankly, sometimes at Shakespeare I have felt it was too pompous, or that I could not understand the words. Not the case here! Enjoyed the perf. from both aspects. Highly recommended - and Midsummer Nights Dream -- if tickets are still available -- is even better!- Bill Taylor
Shakespeare Santa Cruz always does Shakespeare so you can understand the play in all its complexity. I recommend it.- Peggy
After nearly a 20 year absence from SSC due to a move out of the area, we were VERY excited to return and see Julius Caesar. Sadly, were extremely disappointed with the production. With the lone exception of Chris Butler (Cassius), the performances were shallow and mediocre. - Paul
I felt the performances were outstanding. Brutus was fantastic, you could feel the conflict within him. Cassius did a terrific job and displayed all the arrogance and malevolence he needed to convey. Marc Anthony started slow but grew as the play went along. Great Job.
- Paul Thiltgen
Scott Wentworth (Brutus) is a brilliant, smart actor whose delivery of Shakespeare's beautiful poetry is enormously compelling. This fine production will inspire you to think hard about how skilled rhetoricians determine the course of history. Don't miss this chance to engage your intelligence and imagination with neighbors and friends!- Don Rothman
We saw JC (twice - both matinee and evening) last weekend and were awestruck by the performances. By the end, I was so emotionally exhausted I could hardly find the energy for applause, though it was completely deserved. It is rare to see a Shakespeare performance so carefully crafted and accessible. Even our 10-year-old daughter sat mesmerized through both performances. What a gift for our community!- Lois
Julius Caesar could use some help from Marc Antony (and perhaps Director). Antony was extremely wooden in presentation and not the emotionally distraught foil to the painfully but excellent deliberating Brutus.
Cassius was over-the-top by comparison--Excellent but why the southern accent? We have been attending SSC for many years, and while this show does not receive lowest marks, it ranks near the low--middle. The women parts were played excellently. Only have to fault Shakespeare himself for that. And how about ramping up the sound so we can hear all the words? We lost Julius Caesar himself in spots. It was strange to radio mike only the soothsayer. Go see it and judge for yourself.
- Mary Comfort
We saw the show Sunday night. It's a great experience to sit in the redwoods and see a performance. I've been to SSC many summers and I'm sad to say that this was not the best production I've seen here. The location is so great and the spirit of the event wonderful. I'd still recommend it and I'll definitely be back for more next summer.- Louie
I was entranced by Chris Butler's performance. He was amazing. Scott Wentworth was a close second-very conflicted and well acted. This was our first experience with this Shakespeare festival. The venue was incredible! I'd like to come back every year for this event, but we live in PA and it's a LONG trip! Thanks so much for a wonderful performance.- Margo Singer
HOW LUCKY WE ARE TO LIVE IN A COMMUNITY THAT PROVIDES QUALITY AFFORDABLE THEATER IN A BEAUTIFUL REDWOOD SETTING.
I PLAN TO ENCOURAGE MORE FRIENDS TO BECOME SPONSORS - AJT
I enjoyed myself very much, and must say that Christopher Butler was phenomenal! All the actors were good, but Chris I believe brought the play to life! Much enjoyable. Thank you. - Beau
We saw JC on a Friday evening in the Glenn. It is a timeless play that amazingly is still completely relevant. When will we humans ever evolve! The cast is flawless. A perfect and enjoyable evening. I actually thought Marc Antony was well played in the irony and passion that was portrayed. Mind blowing to see the same actor in MND in a complete turnabout in characters.- cr
I really enjoyed Julius Caesar and am agreeing with some of the thoughts on Brutus and Mark Anthony. The former performance was excellent and while the latter was very good, the casting may have been questionable. It was a great experience though and we really loved the stage set against the red woods. Beautiful. - Mark
Fabulous production, wonderful performances! The male leads were all excellent, and Lanise Antoine Shelley shone as Brutus' wife Portia. Shipwrecked also was just delightful, and I look forward to seeing Midsummer Night's Dream next week. This has been a great season; don't miss any of the plays, and let your friends know they should do themselves a favor and see all three of this summer's plays!
- Helen Wallis
After watching many of the cast members shine in Midsummer's Nights Dream, I understood how over-directed Julius Caesar was. Way too much of the director and not nearly enough freedom for these outstanding actors. Still good, but could have been much better.- Roy Gordon
I thought the show was quite well done. Brutus, Caesar and Anthony were acted with subtlety and nuance. The only downside was Cassius, who was totally miscast. His high-pitched voice and grandstanding gestures were brought into greater contrast by the more fully realized characterizations. Wentworth was very thoughtful and nuanced. He is a true actor, one who can convey a great deal of meaning and emotion without 'doing' a lot.- jeff
We enjoyed the overall performance but had trouble hearing the softly spoken lines, especially those of Brutus. Chris Butler as Cassius was outstanding as was the rendering of the "Friends, Romans, Countrymen..." scene. Always the glen is a perfect setting.- Madeline S.
Play was generally good but Brutus and Caesar were hard to hear. Rest of cast could be heard fine.
Surely they could be miked to let all of the audience hear not just the front two rows.
Lots of familiar quotes come to life!- Jim R
Had a wonderful time watching this play at night in the Glen--perfect for the thunderstorm effects. Felt I understood the story better than I have before. Brutus was excellent. - D.L.
Our first time at the Glen - what a fantastic venue! Also my first time seeing J.C.; it was very accessible; Shakes made easy to understand. Enjoyed it very much.- Kathryn Ryan
Very nice presentation of Julius Caesar! I enjoyed it very much. Great casting and acting. It was hard to hear Julius and Brutus, though. A lavaliere mike would have helped and been appreciated. Why one only on the soothsayer?- M Dean Sutton
I had trouble hearing Brutus (I sat a ways back). Cassius' 'voices' were inconsistent (southern black? gay parody? shrill?). Marc Anthony's speech was great but he overplayed it when he physically grabbed his audience to bring him back (wasn't the point to woo them with his powerful words alone?). The directing seemed uneven.- Karen Potter
Fabulous performance, as usual for SSC, our great local treasure!- Pat Emard
Loved the show.
Chris Butler as Cassius was the best! - Peggy Perri
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