Photo Flash: First Look at A Noise Within's JULIUS CAESAR

A Noise Within (ANW), the acclaimed classical repertory theatre company, continues its 2014-2015 REVOLUTIONary season with two new productions: William Shakespeare's Julius Caesar now through May 8 (press opening this weekend, March 28) and The Threepenny Opera, Bertolt Brecht and Kurt Weill's groundbreaking theatrical work in Michael Feingold's translation now through May 17. While both plays spoke to the times in which they were first produced - Weimar Germany and Elizabethan England, respectively - they also speak to this season's theme of REVOLUTION, most especially from a socio-political point of view. Scroll down for a first look at JULIUS CAESAR onstage!

Both Caesar and Threepenny were created by a single design team, and are headed by Rodriguez-Elliott and Elliott as directors. While the plays can be enjoyed singly, both can also be seen on the same day as a matinee and evening performance as the foundation of REVOLUTIONRep on April 12, 25 and May 2.

Julius Caesar, a tragedy by William Shakespeare, is believed to have been written in 1599 and is one of several plays by Shakespeare including Coriolanus and Antony and Cleopatra that are based on true events from Roman history. The central psychological drama of the work is Brutus' struggle between the conflicting demands of his honor, patriotism and friendship. The main source of the play is Thomas North's translation of Plutarch's Lives. It is thought that the play reflects the general anxiety of Elizabethan England over the succession of leadership, anticipating the death of Elizabeth I.

A play of shifting civic tides, paranoia, and betrayal, Julius Caesar (last produced by the company in 2005) is a tense thriller steeped in civil war and the unending quest for power. Brutus, in concert with a cabal of senators fearing for the future of the Republic, slays its one true threat, Julius Caesar, but underestimates his power as emperor. The assassination throws the Republic into chaos and leads to the first Triumvirate. This play demands that its viewers consider just how far revolution can be taken. Though in Julius Caesar it is taken to the ultimate degree-assassination.

Julius Caesar's close friend Brutus is cajoled into joining a group of conspiring senators because of a rumor started by Caius Cassius that Caesar intends to turn republican Rome into a monarchy. Brutus argues with Cassius and struggles with his own conscience. The growing tide of public support soon turns Brutus against Caesar. A soothsayer warns Caesar to "beware the Ides of March"; ignoring the soothsayer as well as his wife's own premonitions, Caesar goes to the Senate.

Caesar, predictably, rejects a superficial petition, and Casca first stabs Caesar in the neck, and others follow in stabbing him; Brutus is the last. At this point, Caesar utters the famous line "You too, Brutus?" Mark Antony's speech over Caesar's corpse deftly turns public opinion against the assassins and rouses the mob to drive them from Rome. Next Brutus attacks Cassius for accepting bribes; the two are reconciled, especially after Brutus reveals that his beloved wife Portia has committed suicide; and they prepare for war with Mark Antony and Caesar's son, Octavius. That night, Caesar's ghost appears to Brutus with a warning. At the battle, Cassius and Brutus knowing they might die, smile a last smile to each other. However, Brutus wins that battle but Cassius dies -and with a heavy heart, Brutus battles again the next day. He loses, committing suicide by falling on his own sword.

The cast of Julius Caesar includes Robertson Dean* as Brutus, Patrick O'Connell* as Julius Caesar, Rafael Goldstein* as Marc Antony, Freddy Douglas* as Cassius, with Joe Sofranko*, June Carryl*, Deborah Strang*, Eric Curtis Johnson*, Alison Elliott, Jill Hill*, E.K. Dagenfield, and Abubakr Ali in various roles. *Denotes member of Actors' Equity

Single ticket prices for Julius Caesar and The Threepenny Opera start at $40. Contact the A Noise Within box office in person, via phone at 626-356-3100, or online at www.ANoiseWithin.org for updated pricing and seat availability. A Noise Within is located on the corner of Foothill Boulevard and Sierra Madre Villa Avenue at 3352 East Foothill Blvd., Pasadena, CA 91107.

Photo Credit: Craig Schwartz

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