Theatre Unleashed presents all-female version of Julius Caesar

Fresh off the immensely popular and critically acclaimed production of The Birthday Boys, Theatre Unleashed is excited to announce the next show in its Main Stage season, William Shakespeare's historical drama Julius Caesar, running Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. from May 13-June 18 at Studio/Stage in Los Angeles.

After successful runs of both Twelfth Night and The Tempest, TU is eager to bring another Shakespeare piece to the stage with a very unique look at The Bard's classic tale of conspiracy, betrayal and murder. Set in the 1940s, in a United States battered by the effects of World War II, a group of women whose male loved ones are off fighting gather in a community center and present the play as a way to help them understand and cope with the war, and the pain, suffering and loss it's caused. Along the way, they find a new perspective on not just the brilliant psychological drama that is Julius Caesar, but also on their own lives and the conflicting demands of honor, loyalty, friendship...and community.

"We had the vision to have this play, which features some of Shakespeare's best male characters, presented completely by women," said Vance Roi Reyes, the show's director. "Part of the reason is the intimacy and one could even say, a femininity in some of the dialogue and interactions between the central characters. There is an agility we have in presenting it this way and the result is nothing short of fascinating when seen from this new perspective."

Company executives said they were excited by the new vision and how it fits with their commitment to taking bold steps to distinguishing itself in the L.A. theatre community.

"We built a lot of momentum over the past three seasons and especially with our last show," said Carlos Martinez, the company's co-artistic director. "It's vital to us that we keep it going. We no longer want to be known as the community's most ambitious theatre company, we want to be one of the best. And we're making sure the pieces we present are intriguing, appealing, original and daring. This version of Caesar exemplifies what we're talking about and focused on as a company."

To continue with its efforts to reach out more to the community, TU is also donating $1 of every ticket sold to the Susan G. Komen Walk For the Cure, in which members of the company also plan to participate. See the company's website www.theatreunleashed.com for more information.