Huntington , Cabell County , West Virginia

The Arts Resources for the Tri-State production of "Julius Caesar" imagines the Roman emperor living in today's world, obsessed with celebrity, with every move chronicled on Facebook and Twitter and illuminated by the flash of the paparazzi's cameras.

It's TMZ meets JC.

"In our version here, we've updated it to where it's a little more "West Wing" meets Shakespeare," Mike Murdock, the director, said. "Everybody's wearing suits and ties. It's set in 2013. There's a lot of sort of espionage, political intrigue going on as we set the scene throughout the show."

Although Shakespeare's dialogue remains the same, with some of his most famous lines intact, suits have replaced togas and there are dress shoes trodding the boards instead of sandals.

"This particular production really makes old Shakespeare very interesting," Barry Dailey, who plays Julius Caesar, said. "We've put a modern spin on it, so it's just like watching CNN or FOX News now on today's politics."

The play's themes revolve around greed and conspiracy, envy and ambition, patriotism and honor. The actors said they are as relevant today as they were when Shakespeare first imagined them four centuries ago.

"I think a lot of the themes of the show are the same today as they were then," Murdock said. "Dealing with the politics and who is on who's side and backroom dealings and cutting deals behind the actual politician's back."

Owen Reynolds who plays Brutus said people try to do Shakespeare in modern day all the time and "most of the time it does not work. I think some Shakespeare shows just lend themselves more to the time they were originally written. But I think "Julius Caesar" can speak to an audience well."

ARTS Resources for the Tri-State presents "Julius Caesar"
Directed by Mike Murdock

March 15, 16, 22 and 23
8 p.m.
ARTS 900 Eighth St.
Huntington, WV 25701

Tickets $10
Opening night dinner and the show, $25
Dinner starts at 6:30 p.m. on March 15.
Call 304-733-2787 (ARTS) for reservations.

Menu:
Caesar Salad
Cornish Game Hen on a bed of sautéed greens with a wild rice mixture, carrots and rolls. Tiramisu for dessert.
There is a vegetarian alternative.

Cast:
Julius Caesar – Barry Dailey
Calpurnia – Amy Carlson
Mark Antony – Len Trent
Octavius – Tristan Reynolds
Cassius – Brian Cook
Brutus – Owen Reynolds
Portia – Joanna Berner
Cinna the Poet – Jonathan Maynard
The Soothsayer – Sarah Diamond Burroway

The Conspirators:
Casca – Simon Woods
Cimber – Jinnie Knight
Cinna – Jonathan Maynard
Ligarius – Gregory Picklesimer
Trebonius – Todd Green
Decius – Stephen Vance

The Tribunes:
Marullus – Bill Stambaugh
Flavius – Christal Barton

Interns, Pages, PR Reps, Gossip Columnists, Security:
Lucius – Eric Wilson
Pindarus – Michael Naglee
Messala – Dylan M. Clark
Titinius – Bill Burroway
Strato – Jenn Naglee
Popilius Lena – Emma Grace Imes
Publius – Chelsey Keathley
Lepidus – Bill Stambaugh

Press, Citizens, Crowd, Paparazzi, Police, Soldiers: Simon Woods, Jinnie Knight, Gregory Picklesimer, Todd Green, Stephen Vance, Christal Barton, Victor Barton, Bill Stambaugh, Eric Wilson, Michael Naglee, Jenn Naglee, Dylan M. Clark, Bill Burroway, Emma Grace Imes, Chelsey Keathley, Sarah Diamond Burroway

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