No togas: Curtainless Theatre stages ‘Julius Caesar’

Despite commendable acting and directing, the Curtainless Theatre’s adaptation of Orson Welles’ 1937 radio broadcast of Shakespeare’s “The Tragedy of Julius Caesar” might be better off as an audio play.

Kameron Going seems to channel Welles — who masterfully played Brutus — while commanding the same role. Going resembles a young Welles as he delivers Shakespeare’s complex, lengthy and foreign-sounding lines with an authoritative and confident voice. But Going and the rest of the admirable Curtainless cast have no authentic costumes or Roman sets. There are no major backdrop changes, significant props or a single toga. Juxtaposed with this stripped-down setup, the church’s drums, keyboards, microphones and holy cross on stage throughout the play stand out.

Modern clothing is rarely altered — even for actors who switch roles. Ellie Weise, who capably plays Mark Antony, takes on the male role while wearing a short skirt, tight sweater and lipstick. Curiously, Weise and other females playing male characters are often referred to as “she.” The gender-swapping is confusing.

Charles Hoogstraten is a manly Julius Caesar. His tall stature and orations stand above others in the cast. In the only white suit, Mike Shalley’s memorable Casca (and Lucilius), also stands out. Tim Edinger as Cassius has his own outstanding moments.

That the entire cast rarely stumbles reciting the Bard’s tricky and multifaceted dialogue during the about two-and-a-half-hour-with-intermission play, is impressive. I found the visual aspects of this “Julius Caesar” less impressive.

Standing on a chair represents going to higher ground. A “bowl of wine” is merely a bottle.  Caesar’s “robe” is a suit coat.  Brutus dons a bathrobe. “Swords” are the size of paring knives. Age-appropriate candles are lit with a butane lighter.

Authentic rain and storm noises by Cody Skalmowski suggest he’d create good radio sound effects. Skalmowski also played the same three Christian hymns over-and-over between the many scene changes.     

Dale Wayne Williams handles the tricky blocking for a cast of 19 that plays 43 characters.  He also shines in a brief role as the “Servant.” Wayne Williams effectively places actors on a stage with steps, or in the aisles and seats of the church.  He also adds bits of 21st century humor.

“Julius Caesar” is the first production inside the Sycamore Creek Church for the Curtainless Theatre. Past performances were in the spacious Hannah Center in East Lansing.  Last weekend’s shows had crowds much larger than any there.

Perhaps that indicates an increased approval of the Curtainless Theatre’s minimalist style.  With “Julius Caesar’s” many modern and inappropriate distractions, too often I found myself thinking, “It was all Greek to me.”

“Julius Caesar”

$10

March 13 to 14, 7 p.m.

March 15, 2 p.m.

Sycamore Creek Church

1919 S. Pennsylvania Ave. Lansing

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