Julius Caesar Reviews
DC Theater Arts- Recommended
"...The international Scena Theatre's production casts Caesar (Robert McNamara) as a kind of Mafia don, surrounded by insincere toadies and would-be revolutionaries. Full of inspired directorial ideas, and satirical modern touches, this Caesar reminds us how timeless and necessary Shakespeare really is. Founder/Artistic Director and director of this production, McNamara is to be congratulated on offering us a muscular, action-packed version of one of Shakespeare's finest plays."
MD Theatre Guide- Highly Recommended
"...Though it reaches a predictably tragic conclusion, the production’s finest jabs are accomplished through humor. While Mark Antony and Octavius Caesar (a great Robert Sheire) oversee their field of battle, the gravity of the moment is somewhat undercut by the fact that they are gazing at a toy tank and plane. The visual gag is a good example of the production’s contempt for the generals in particular, and “big men” in general. It is also a good example of the great amount of enjoyment to be had from this richly textured, finely acted night of theatre."
DCTheatreScene- Somewhat Recommended
"...Because Shakespeare is so often produced, a clear purpose goes a long way in justifying what might be the second or third Julius Caesar you've considered attending since the last presidential election. This production has enough going on that it doesn't feel lazy. It just feels ineffectually manic, and that doesn't build an argument for why its $40 ticket deserves to be the Julius Caesar you see to cope with politics these days."
BroadwayWorld- Highly Recommended
"...To make a production of this play successful, then, requires top-notch actors who know the language like the back of their hand, and an energetic supporting cast, closely choreographed, to give life to events that we might otherwise snooze through. And Robert McNamara's current production gives us everything you need for an exciting evening of Shakespeare, even for those who wouldn't know a Colosseum if it dropped into their front yards."