Friends, Romans, Countrymen... THT Rep to Perform Julius Caesar

In just a few months, we’ll bring people back together for the much-longed-for shared experience of live theatre! In August, The Hanover Theatre Repertory (THT Rep) will perform Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar on the steps of City Hall.

A suspenseful political drama, Julius Caesar chronicles the battle for the soul of the ancient Roman republic. As politicians and commoners alike undermine democratic values and take matters into their own hands, society unravels. Civil strife erupts in civil war.

“Our own democracy stands on the same knife’s edge,” says director Livy Scanlon, who also serves as artistic director of THT Rep. “We’re staging this play in this moment for this audience to pose the question: are we Rome?”

Far from a five-hour snoozer, Scanlon’s adaptation trims the play to a swift 90 minutes with intermission. An original cast of nearly 50 characters has been compressed to only 20, to be portrayed by a mix of seasoned professionals from Worcester, Boston and New York, together with students from the prestigious Brown University / Trinity Rep Master of Fine Arts program in Providence, RI and actor trainees from THT Rep’s new Worc at Play program.

Detailed period costumes (read: togas!) by New York-based designer Lex Liang will be embellished with contemporary flare. Casting will be similarly anachronistic. Scanlon’s immersive, energetic staging will unfold not only on the steps of City Hall, but also carry through the Worcester Common oval, creating an invitation to the audience to boo and cheer along with the action.

August 10-13, 17-19 and 22 at 8 PM does not include possible rain dates and extra performances

All performances of Julius Caesar will be free and open to the public. Tickets will be available online for advanced reservation, while walk-ups will be welcome onsite. Please stay tuned for more information!

Julius Caesar is presented in partnership with the City of Worcester and the Downtown Worcester Business Improvement District, which has received a generous grant from the Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism (MOTT) to activate the downtown neighborhoods, promote local businesses around the performances and draw tourists to the heart of the Commonwealth.

As with all THT Rep productions, COVID-19 safety protocols will be in place for the run of Julius Caesar.

Carpe diem and save-the-date! We look forward to seeing you soon!

More info: TheHanoverTheatre.org/juliuscaesar

Listen to Behind the Scenes interviews

TheHanoverTheatreblog.org

Meet the cast and creative team

TheHanoverTheatre.org/jccastandcreative

Learn about other Downtown Worcester events Downtownworcester.org

Join in related summer library activities Mywpl.org/article/julius-caesar-wpl

About THT Rep

A new initiative from The Hanover Theatre and Conservatory for the Performing Arts, The Hanover Theatre Repertory (THT Rep) entertains, engages and energizes audiences with dynamic theatrical productions focusing on classics, modernclassics and classics-inspired works.

We look forward to bringing homegrown, professional theater to central MA.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Presenting sponsors

Follow the making of Julius Caesar and summer events in downtown.

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