Chicago Tribune - Somewhat Recommended
"...In retrospect, I think this particular take would have worked better in the back of that old bookstore, where you could bore into these men's souls and see the whites of their eyes, without the imperative of a big fall opener that wants both to focus on an aspect of the play while also doing the play. That, and with an external eye, perhaps. Parkinson and Bandealy are gifted actors, but the personal nature of the concept here works against the spectacle of the production, landing everything in the middle. There's some interest displayed in hashtags and real-time dissections of speeches on Facebook, but it doesn't gel with the fundamental intimacy of the worthy but smaller story that I think Halberstam and Parkinson most want to tell."
Chicago Sun Times - Recommended
"...Watching Writers Theatre’s taut, clear, pared down and tightly stylized production of “Julius Caesar” — co-directed by Michael Halberstam and Scott Parkinson — it is impossible not to think of a slew of recent despots in the Middle East whose removal, or attempted removal, have been briefly cheered, and then followed by such calamitous internal dissension that some wearily pine for “the good old days.” Think Saddam Hussein of Iraq, Muammar Gaddafi of Libya, Hosni Mubarak of Egypt. And recall how, more often than not, while the initial cry is against corruption and absolute power, and for “democracy,” lifting the cover off the pot invariably results in chaos and many heated internal power struggles."
Daily Herald - Highly Recommended
"...Halberstam and Parkinson's most striking image is Caesar's highly stylized assassination. Equally disturbing are the moments where politicians whip their Roman constituents into a frenzy. The menace underscoring the chanting and foot-stomping is cringe-inducing. There's no more chilling reflection of the rising tide of fascism than this display of public anger and frustration (all too familiar to anyone watching certain campaign rallies)."
Chicago Reader - Somewhat Recommended
"...Michael Halberstam and Scott Parkinson's production takes such broad swings at technological and political salience that it becomes a choose-your-own-allegory affair. Operatic blocking and brutalist scenic design inspire at least one truly stunning Fritz Lang-style image; the rest of the time, the charcoal costumes and set of massive gray slabs of concrete serve as unfortunate visual reminders of the action, which is lumbering even at just 100 minutes."
Windy City Times - Highly Recommended
"...this new, streamlined, 90-minute version of the Bard's 400-year-old drama opens the company's 25th season. It's co-adapted and co-directed by Artistic Director Michael Halberstam and Scott Parkinson, and is unbelievably fresh and timely. With the political race in full swing, one can't escape obvious comparisons to the campaign style of one particular candidate. The nine talented ensemble members-most of whom take on multiple roles-are each strong, fully committed and articulate, making Shakespeare's dialogue and intent understandable and relatable."
Stage and Cinema - Highly Recommended
"...Julius Caesar: It's a strong choice for an election year, a timely reminder of why we prefer peaceful changes of power to assassinations and their inevitable knee-jerk revenge. It's unsurprising that Shakespeare's most political play centers on a political murder, the ultimate act of censorship, whether done in togas or, as in Writers Theatre's streamlined and kinetic update, modern dress. No hymn to democracy, Julius Caesar deplores the death of the title tyrant and the fickle loyalties of the mob who applaud his murderers."
ChicagoCritic - Recommended
"...This production worked as a one-act as the tension and emotions kept building. The young cast of nine divergent racial, ethnic and genders players worked effectively giving diversity and experience to a wider fields of actors. Scott Parkinson and Madrid St. Angelo were particularly fine. Both newbies to Julius Caesar and veterans to The Bard's work will find much to be impressed with here."
Around The Town Chicago - Recommended
"...It takes over an hour for the phrase "Make Rome great again" to appear in the new production of Julius Caesar at Writers Theatre. But it is built up to so with such strong support from co-directors Michael Halberstam and Scott Parkinson's streamlining of William Shakespeare's text that, rather than seeming forced or gimmicky, the comparison is so obvious that if the production had not stated it explicitly, it would have been conspicuous by its absence. During the year commemorating the four hundredth anniversary of Shakespeare's death, Chicago-area audiences have seen a wide variety of demonstrations of the great poet-playwright's immortal genius and continuing relevance. The modernity of his representation of the Roman Republic's downfall was chilling when Orson Welles adapted it in 1937, and with a brilliant team of actors and designers assisting the directors' vision at Writers, it is a disquieting masterpiece today."
Chicagoland Theater Reviews - Somewhat Recommended
"...For me, the production lacked tension and the momentous and violent events on the stage never gripped me dramatically. The staging obviously is not for Shakespeare purists, though others might enjoy the special effects and appreciate watching a production that ends 45 to 60 minutes quicker than a typical Shakespeare play. The main storyline is easy enough to follow and the visual presentation is impressive on its own merits. The interpretation may not enrich the play for some viewers (myself included) but it certainly is unlike any other "Julius Caesar" offered to local audiences in recent years."
NewCity Chicago - Somewhat Recommended
"...There is a lot to chew on in Writers' election-era "Caesar": Hashtags, live streams, tweets, emojis, the general contrast of ancient columns and up-to-the-minute updates. But not much really sticks. Perhaps that's because the root of all the vitriol and violence is a man who has seemingly been written out of his own history."
