The Acting Company in association with The Guthrie Theater presents William Shakespeare's "Julius Caesar" | Press Releases

6 p.m., Sunday, March 25, 2012
Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts
Tickets: $40, $35, $30

Image: Julius Caesar Played against a backdrop of the current political arena, the renowned theatre ensemble The Acting Company in association with The Guthrie Theater brings one of the greatest tragedies ever written, William Shakespeare's "Julius Caesar" into the 21st century with a performance at 6 p.m., Sunday, March 25, 2012, at Fairfield University's Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts . Mirroring today's bitter political climate and election season, The Acting Company trades togas and tunics for wing-tips and business suits as it presents a contemporary interpretation of the classic story of pride and envy, arrogance and honor, opportunity and tragic strategic errors. Tickets are $40, $35, and $30. (A student performance takes place on Monday, March 26, 2012).

Written in one of his most productive times, William Shakespeare's " Julius Caesar" blends the historic events of the reign of this iconic roman emperor with tragic elements and compelling language. "The intense passion that now permeates our politics and threatens to divide our country make this a perfect time to re-examine Shakespeare's ' Julius Caesar,' a play that looks at what happens when political convictions create conflict and sometimes tragic upheaval," said Director Rob Melrose. "We're imagining a ' Julius Caesar' that captures the energy and excitement of American politics of the last presidential and mid-term elections: the rallies, the protests, the political spectacles of conventions, bill signings and the congress, the high stakes speeches and debates, and of course the behind the scenes deal-making and strategizing."

Founded in 1972 by legendary producer/director/actor John Houseman and current Producing Director Margot Harley with members of the first graduating class of Juilliard's Drama Division, The Acting Company has given a generation of actors the opportunity to master their craft. Alumni members include Kevin Kline, Rainn Wilson, Patti LuPone, David Schramm, Jesse L. Martin, David Ogden Stiers, Frances Conroy, Jeffrey Wright, Harriet Harris, Hamish Linklater and Keith David. The Company has performed 136 productions for over 3 million people in 48 states and ten foreign countries. It has been honored with numerous awards including the Obie, Audelco, Los Angeles Critics Circle Award and a TONY for Excellence in Theater.

Image: Julius Caesar The Acting Company promotes theater and literacy by bringing a touring repertory of classical productions and exceptional new works, talented young actors and teaching artists into communities across America - particularly those where live performance and theater arts education is limited or non-existent. It recently presented a week-long "Artist-in-Residency" program at Central High School in Bridgeport, CT, in conjunction with its Fairfield University appearance and will present a student performance of "Julius Caesar" on Monday, March 26, 2012, at the Quick Center. The education programs of The Acting Company are intended to mirror the mission of the company itself: to celebrate language, to deepen creative exploration, to go places where theater isn't always available.

These performances of "Julius Caesar" are part of The Acting Company's 39th national tour that began in January at the Guthrie in Minneapolis and is travelling to 31 communities in 21 states plus Ontario, Canada. The cast, trained at the leading acting conservatories in the country, includes: Ernest Bentley, Kaliswa Brewster, Caleb Carlson, Ray Chapman, Bjorn DuPaty, Zachary Fine, Whitney Hudson, Joseph Midyett, Kevin Orton, Noah Putterman, Sid Solomon, William Sturdivant and Kathleen Wise.

Tickets are available through the Quick Center Box Office: (203) 254-4010, or toll-free 1-877-ARTS-396 (1-877-278-7396). Tickets can also be purchased online at http://www.fairfield.edu/quick .

The Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts is located on the campus of Fairfield University at 1073 North Benson Road in Fairfield, Connecticut. Entrance to the Quick Center is through the Barlow Road gate at 200 Barlow Road. Free, secure parking is available. Access for people with disabilities is available throughout the Quick Center for audience members and performers. Hearing amplification devices are available upon request at the Box Office. Fairfield University is located off exit 22 of Interstate-95. For further information and directions, call (203) 254-4010 or 1-877-278-7396, or visit http://www.fairfield.edu/quick .