The Appalachian Shakespeare Project (ASP) is currently in production of its summer 2013 performance of “The Tragedy of Julius Caesar” which runs July 25-28. All shows are free to the public with donations welcome and begin at 6 p.m. outside Concord University’s Alexander Fine Arts Building in Athens, W.Va.
“Julius Caesar” is William Shakespeare’s dramatization of the historical events surrounding the death of Julius Caesar and the impact it had on Rome. The plot follows Brutus, one of the primary conspirators in the murder of Caesar, and how he changed from Caesar’s close friend into his killer. “Julius Caesar” touches on ideas of ambition, fear, betrayal and revenge, and questions the power given to compelling politicians and the fear of tyrannical rulers.
“This is one of Shakespeare’s best-loved tragedies and one of the bloodiest things he ever wrote,” Dr. Gabriel Rieger said. “It lends itself well to a variety of eras. The legend of Julius Caesar is as relevant today as it was 400 years ago as it was 2,000 years ago.” Dr. Rieger is a professor of medieval and renaissance literature at Concord University and executive director, historian, and charter member of the ASP.
“Julius Caesar” is the ASP’s fourth summer performance. It will be directed by Concord University student Greg Stamp, and feature Dr. Rieger as Julius Caesar and CU students Aaron Arnold as Marcus Brutus and Briana Gunter as Mark Antony.
The Appalachian Shakespeare Project is a community theater organization founded in summer 2010 that strives to provide the community with an enjoyable and educational experience. The cast and crew are members of the community, and the performances are held outdoors on the Concord University campus in Athens. The ASP has previously performed “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” “Macbeth” and “The Merry Wives of Windsor,” alternating each year between tragedy and comedy.
For more information contact Victoria Ellis, media coordinator, at asp@concord.edu or (304) 373-8273.
Falstaff (Dr. Gabriel Rieger, center) is harassed by fairies while attempting to spirit away another man’s wife in the ASP’s 2012 production of “The Merry Wives of Windsor.”
