Julius Caesar from Delaware: Shakespeare Explores Tyranny In a remote corner of Delaware, the Delaware Shakespeare Company has staged a daring reinvention of William Shakespeare’s classic tragedy, “Julius Caesar.” This production transports the iconic tale of ambition, betrayal, and the perils of tyranny to a modern American context. Director Jamal Hodge has set the play in the year 2023, during a pivotal election season in the fictional town of Caesarville, Delaware. Julius Caesar, a charismatic but ruthless mayor, has seized power through questionable means and rules with an iron fist. The production’s central character, Brutus, is a young, idealistic journalist who struggles with conflicting loyalties. As he witnesses Caesar’s growing tyranny, Brutus must grapple with the moral dilemma of whether to betray his friend to preserve the republic. Hodge’s decision to set the play in a contemporary setting highlights the timeless relevance of Shakespeare’s themes. The parallels between Caesar’s Rome and modern-day America are chillingly evident. The production’s high-stakes political drama unfolds against a backdrop of familiar American imagery. The iconic Roman Forum is transformed into Caesar’s opulent penthouse, complete with a golden statue of himself. The conspirators plot against Caesar in a smoky backroom, while the citizens of Caesarville cheer for their oppressive leader on the streets below. Costume designer Camille Francis-McAllister has created a visually stunning world that blends ancient Rome with modern America. Caesar wears a tailored suit reminiscent of a Roman tunic, while Brutus dons a tweed jacket and jeans, embodying the contemporary everyman. The cast’s performances are uniformly excellent. Jordan Owens-Smith portrays Caesar as a magnetic but manipulative demagogue, while Maurice Ways channels Brutus’s inner turmoil with raw emotion. Meghan Price’s Portia exudes both strength and vulnerability, and La’Vonne D. George’s Cassius is a cunning and ambitious conspirator. “Julius Caesar from Delaware” is a powerful and provocative production that examines the corrosive effects of tyranny and the importance of standing up for what is right. Director Jamal Hodge has created a timely and thought-provoking interpretation of Shakespeare’s masterpiece that will resonate with audiences long after the curtain falls.
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I first encountered Shakespeare’s “Julius Caesar,” as many of us do, in my high school English class. I was known as a “theater nerd,” and many of my classmates playfully poked fun at me for my frequent (and unprovoked) statements about loving the Bard. But as we trudged through reading this particular piece, I became more and more in tune with my 16-year-old classmates: “This piece is boring!” I thought.
Fast forward to today. I am in my first six months as the new Artistic Director of Delaware Shakespeare, and we have chosen to program “Julius Caesar” for our annual summer festival production in Rockwood Park. So what has changed over the years that now makes me appreciate this piece of work, not only producing it, but also performing on the show?
I was first introduced to Delaware Shakespeare in 2019 when I auditioned for their season.
Although I hadn’t booked any of the major productions, David Stradley, the producing artistic director at the time, sent me an email saying he wanted to “keep me in the fold” and invited me to that summer to see “The Merry Wives of Windsor”.
The gig I attended was a hot evening, and many of us in the audience had tried to attend the previous night’s gig, which had been rained out. Still, the audience was full of smiling faces, people enjoying their picnic snacks and chatting in anticipation of the performance. It was electric. And when the actors started telling the story, I quickly fell in love with Del Shakes. Not only was the performance hilarious and moving, but the overall sense of community I experienced that evening in Rockwood Park was unparalleled.
I continued to “keep a straight face” with Del Shakes; performing in Shakespeare, Poe and Fiends; serving as a teaching artist in 2020; and eventually became a member of the Artistic Squad, which allowed me to have a deeper relationship with the organization and help with some of the artistic programming.
In one particular season planning conversation with David and the other Squad members, I came up with a very specific pitch in mind for a production. You guessed it. “Julius Caesar.”
