Julius X: A Re-envisioning of The Tragedy of Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare at Folger Shakespeare Library

Award-winning writer, journalist, and podcast host Al Letson harmonizes with Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar in his retelling of the story, Julius X: A Re-envisioning of The Tragedy of Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare.

Just as Shakespeare chronicled history to create a means of understanding the events of his day, Letson highlights and reflects on contemporary challenges by blending Shakespeare with the story of Civil Rights leader Malcolm X.

Director Nicole Brewer explains, “Letson’s poetry pulses with the rhythm of revolution, weaving Shakespearean drama into the raw urgency of the Civil Rights era.” Julius X champions Shakespeare’s original text and timeless tragedy, amplified with Letson’s verse, to highlight the cyclical nature of societal strife and shared human experiences of ambition, betrayal, and brotherhood.