Theater: Writers Theatre
Role: Portia / Soothsayer / Decia Brutus
Synopsis: Shakespeare’s masterpiece of power and conspiracy, friendship and betrayal, stands as the greatest political drama ever written. Caesar made Rome the world’s most powerful Empire through his brilliant military strategies, and upon his return from the wars wishes for a reluctant Republic to crown him King. When his fellow Senators decide that his advancement must be halted, they come to a brutal and extreme solution: the great man must fall.
“The cast is filled with actors of formidable talent… As Brutus’ wife Portia, Arya Daire is luminous, a daughter of Cato who knows full well that even her standing as Brutus’ wife and her razor-sharp intelligence don’t give her the power she needs to prevent tragedy.”
-Scotty Zacher, Chicago Theater Beat
“unbelievably fresh and timely. With the political race in full swing, one can’t escape obvious comparisons to the campaign style of one particular candidate. The nine talented ensemble members—most of whom take on multiple roles—are each strong, fully committed and articulate, making Shakespeare’s dialogue and intent understandable and relatable.”
-David McCann, Windy City Media Group
“kinetic… like a firestorm…. In 105 tensile minutes (no intermission to siphon momentum), this adaption, by Writers Theatre artistic director Michael Halberstam and longtime collaborator and co-director Scott Parkinson delivers all the urgency the master could muster. With powerful projections on pylons, this Julius Caesar is total 2016. It’s about real disruption.”
-Lawrence Bommer, Stage and Cinema
“a brilliant team of actors”
-Jacob Davis, Around the Town Chicago
“The young cast of nine divergent racial, ethnic and genders players worked effectively… Both newbies to Julius Caesar and veterans to The Bard’s work will find much to be impressed with here.”
-Tom Williams, Chicago Critic