Show: 21
Title: BRUTUS
Category: DANCE / DANCE - MODERN / DRAMA / HORROR / ORIGINAL MUSIC / PHYSICAL THEATER / HISTORICAL CONTENT / LGBTQIA+ CONTENT / POLITICAL CONTENT / SHAKESPEARIAN ELEMENTS
By: Rebecca Wickert and Ella Eastman-Kiesow
Created by: Rebecca Wickert and Ella Eastman-Kiesow
Location: Theatre in the Round
Summary: A retelling of Shakespeare's Julius Caesar with a mostly female cast and creative team.
Highlights: The creators and much of the cast are recent or current U of M theater students, and it's exciting to see the thoughtful, creative, unique work of young artists, making the future of #TCTheater look bright. With perhaps the largest cast I've seen at the Fringe this year, they tell this story of violence and betrayal in a taut and intense 60 minutes or less. Dominique Drake makes for a regal King Caesar, Alexis Neumann is a sympathetic Brutus who kills their friend, and Amber Frederick is all broiling intensity as the chief conspirator Cassius. The ensemble uses movement, choreography, and fight choreography to tell the story in a physical way (with choreography by Nakeema King). There's also recorded original music (by Colin Fitzsimmons and The Buttress) adding to the tone and intensity. The stylistic look of the show is achieved by extreme face makeup, consistent hairstyles, and wild costumes of unknown period. It's all very thoughtful and intentional and beautifully constructed.