The Troubadour Theatre Company Presents “Julius Weezer.” Directed and Adapted by Matt Walker. Produced by Beth Kennedy and Mike Sulprizio.
Running May 4 through May 19, Thursday, Friday, Saturday 1t 8pm, Sunday at 4pm
The El Portal Theatre, 5269 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood, CA 91601
I love my Shakespeare…but never in a million years would I have thought I would love it with a Weezer soundtrack! Who knew?
“Julius Caesar” is more poignant and relevant than ever…no need to point out the obvious as to why. I suppose it shouldn’t be surprising that a 2000-year-old struggle for fame, power and the love of the people could feel so fresh. Shakespeare has a habit of making the old new again. The Troubadour Theatre Company, long famed for their very special twist on the classics, has created a truly wild and wonderful musical extravaganza with the backdrop of Rome circa 100’sh AD, the words of mostly Shakespeare and the music of L.A.’s beloved Weezer.
This is not your usual “Julius Caesar” obviously, but then the world is on its head in more ways than one right now…so why not!
The cast is spectacular, booming out the adapted Shakespearean musings to the phenomenal live rock band’s brilliant Weezer songs, as the audience beams their approval and nods their head to the beat.
The story is the same…mostly. The themes are in tact, but pretty much everything else is transformed from the costumes, to the characters, to the often improvising actors skillful and hilarious moment by moment, seat of their pants, genius audience interaction.
This is Shakespeare for the indie, micro brew, rockin’ out, tattooed, Shakespearean scholar kind of crowd.
It has everything – the battles, the togas, the hilarious asides, the in-jokes and the glorious competitive spirit to out-do, that only the truly committed theatre company invokes in its most talented and fearless gaggle of actors.
I absolutely loved this play! And boy did I need a laugh this week! The music is brilliant and inspired. The acting excellent and beautifully balanced with the songs and the improv. Everyone is absolutely bloody brilliant and the whole audience agreed that this is the best way to see “Julius Caesar.” I felt like a Christian tossed in with the lions…but in a good way!
I highly recommend “Julius Weezer” at the El Portal. It’s a sinfully short run, so get your tickets now!!!!
TICKETS>>
Cast:
Rick Batalla, Joseph Leo Bwarie. Victoria Hoffman, Beth Kennedy, Matt Merchant, Rob NAgle, Suzanne Jolie Narbonne, Andy Robinson, Morgan Rusler, Mike Sulprizio, Cloie Wyatt Taylor, Matt Walker, David C. Wright
Production Crew:
Christopher Scott Murillo – Scenic Designer
Bo Tindell – Lighting Design
Halei Parker – Costume Designer
Derick Finely – Musical Director
Daniel S. Tator – Sound designer
Corey Womack – Production Stage Manager
Nadine Ellis, Matt Walker, Suzanne Jolie Narbonne – Choreographers