Julius Caesar presented by Invictus Theatre Company at Reginald Vaughn Theater

Chicago Reader - Recommended

"...The 16 non-Equity actors in this intimate storefront staging mostly handle the dense, rigorously rhythmic text skillfully, bringing both clarity and musicality to the long-phrased verse. Particularly good are Askenaizer as Brutus, Daniel Houle and Joseph Beal as his coconspirators Cassius and Casca, and John Chambers as Caesar’s nephew and heir Octavius, shrewdly allying himself with Antony in order to position himself to become the first Emperor of Rome."

Chicago Stage and Screen - Highly Recommended

"...Tucked into a small storefront in Edgewater, Invictus Theater has ambitiously tackled and updated Shakespeare's The Tragedy of Julius Caesar in a way you will never forget. Bloody, violent, loud and only a few feet from your body, fifteen actors fill the space with power grabs, murder, war, suicide, gunshots and mob violence. It is shattering, and absolutely current."

Around The Town Chicago - Recommended

"...Invictus Theatre’s production of “Julius Caesar” in modern dress gives us a lot to think about. This unabridged version of Shakespeare’s work contains several embellishments that director and artistic director Charles Askenaizer appended to add to the story’s relevance to the political situation in the United States today. But drawing historical parallels between the decline of democratic rule in Caesar’s day and the uprising of MAGA insurrectionists on January 6, 2021 is somewhat of a stretch. The show looks at various personalities and sequences of events that can enflame ordinary citizens to become vicious and bloodthirsty, with the point being that it is dangerous when mob rule takes over a democratically elected government."

Buzz Center Stage - Highly Recommended

"...I had seen so much theatre invoking the character, presidency, and utter foolishness of Donald Trump, it started to bore me. When I realized Invictus was approaching this "Caesar" from a different angle, it piqued my interest. I clearly saw the parallels, not to Donald Trump and his presidency, but to one date in particular, January 6th, now known as "Insurrection Day". In "Julius Caesar" events are put into action thru manipulation and persuasion, whether it is to one person or a group of people. "Julius Caesar" is the perfect play for an examination of the effect of rhetoric on groups."