"Friends, Romans, Countrymen, lend me your ears!"

A very popular "Sorkinism" - a line used over and over by contemporary author Aaron Sorkin - is "you haven't seen Shakespeare the way it was meant to be done." (59 seconds in; for those following the link) and if you haven't seen Maplewood Barn's production of "Julius Caesar"; which judging by the crowd last night (opening night), you haven't, then "you haven't seen Shakespeare the way it was meant to be done."

If you haven't seen Maplewood Barn's production of Julius Caesar, you haven't seen Shakespeare the way it was meant to be done.

Yes, you probably know the story – the fall of the Roman Empire – and maybe you even read the play itself in high school. If Shakespeare is done well you can tell by the crowd; they will laugh, moan, groan, and cry at all the right times. If not, it's a lengthy and boring history lesson.   Judging by last night’s audience, Maplewood’s cast clearly got it right.

Led by veteran community theater director Russ Scott, the cast of Julius Caesar invites you to a modern Rome.  Cassius, played by Dana Bocke, and Brutus, played by Leslie Stock, invite us to question our loyalty to the state or to the leader, to the ideas of nation, to the charisma of Caesar. In a modern twist, these two act as protagonists of Rome and move the plot forward to slay the beloved but arrogant Caesar, played by Justin Martin. In well-choreographed movements and staging, the cast bends and twists the will of the people, both the visiting citizens (the audience) and statesmen (the cast) of Rome.

Once Caesar has departed, the vacuum of power is left to be filled by the Senate, the people, or the equally charismatic and ambitious Mark Antony, played by Seth Showalter. Should the people "let slip the dogs of war" to avenge mighty Caesar or should they rest in the shadows of Caesar's murderers?

The cast and crew of the Maplewood Barn have done an excellent job of bringing relevance to a classic tale. Although the script is true to the bard, the staging, costumes, and pacing are all modern, demonstrating that Shakespeare's words are timeless, as are his questions about virtue, freedom, and loyalty.  The Maplewood Barn's retelling is nearly flawless. Julius Caesar is an opportunity for scholars and novices alike to be questioned, moved, and entertained. Go see Shakespeare the way it was meant to be done.