(WAYNE, NJ) -- Old Library Theatre presents Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare from April 24-26, 2026. You know the story. The Ides of March. The societal unrest.
Absolute power. Intrigue. Invasion. Assassination.
But is this the political landscape of 44BC... or the 21st century?
Directed by Valerie Caniglia, the cast includes Andrew Parks (Julius Caesar), Brandon Ali (Brutus), Laura Anthony (Mark Antony), Katie Felici (Cassius), Cindy Ryan (Calpurnia & Others), Ella Papanyan (Decius Brutus & Others), Enver Messano (Soothsayer & Others), Bonner Doemling (Portia & Others), Kareem Habal (Cinna & Others), Ocean Scheyd (Casca & Others), and Madie Jones (The Influencer).
Performances take place Friday, April 24 at 7:30pm; Saturday, April 25 at 7:30pm; and Sunday, April 26 at 2:00pm. Tickets are available for purchase online. Performances take place in Berdan Hall (Preakness Reformed Church) located at 131 Church Lane in Wayne, New Jersey.
Julius Caesar is written by Shakespeare. The show is directed by Valerie Caniglia. The show is produced by Kay Koch and Dave Toussas. The production team is rounded out by stage manager Ash Torbic and fight choreographer Michael Serpe.
Director Valerie Caniglia says, "Full disclosure, I hadn't read Julius Caeser since high school. When the opportunity arose for me to direct this play, I dusted off my old copy to read through it again. Needless to say, I was very struck by the similarities of Rome 44 and 42 BCE and the overall world in 2026. To bring a better understanding of a 400-year-old story to a modern audience, we're updating it to a city inspired by Aaron Sorkin's The West Wing.
"There are many things that stand out about Julius Caeser that our incredible company and team have discussed many times: manipulation and mob mentality, fate versus free will, ethics versus power, the dangers of revenge and political ambition, the choice between doing what is right and what is easy all in the name of honor. But what stands out for me, personally, the most is the question of political violence and its consequences. Were the conspirators correct in their actions by stopping a tyrant before it was too late or did they commit stone-cold murder strictly to advance their own power?
"We're currently living in a time where political violence is almost looked at with a shrug and shared on social media like it's nothing. It's horrific and should be treated as such. I'm not sure what people will think when they walk away from our show; people will see the story and interpret it how they will. But I do hope it sparks conversations about the power of celebrity politicians and what constitutes an act of political sacrifice."
Old Library Theatre (OLT) is a non-profit community theater established in 1967 for the purpose of producing, promoting, and presenting high-quality theatrical productions and artistic events. They are committed to providing a platform for creative expression, education, and community engagement. Through their productions and programs, they aim to enrich the cultural life of Northern New Jersey and provide opportunities for individuals of all backgrounds to experience and participate in the transformative power of the arts.
