Julius Caeser Coming to Westfield This Weekend

This weekend Westfield and the surrounding communities have the unique opportunity of seeing a free production of Shakespeare’s "Julius Caesar," right in town. On Friday and Saturday at 7:30 pm, and Sunday at 2 pm, The Gazebo in Mindowaskin Park will be the setting of an entertaining political drama. In the event of rain, the show will be moved to the community room in the Municipal Building on East Broad Street.

The show is being set by Troupe of Friends, a Westfield-based company. The play looks at the life of Roman dictator Julius Caeser but with a twist. Playing the company's background, the show will incorporate both traditional and modern elements to telling Caeser's story.

The setting of the show is in Ancient Rome, showcasing the actual time frame of the events in the life of Caeser. Some contemporary elements have been added, such as a Harpo Max horn. In the past, the Troupe has reinvented some Shakespeare dramas. In presenting Twelfth Night, the setting was changed to the Wild West!

Penczak thinks that the costumes and sword fights will be exciting for the audience, as real swords and daggers will be used. Also, the manner in which the Troupe performs the material will be enjoyable for the audience.

“I think Troupe of Friends productions convey the story so clearly, that you forget you’re seeing Shakespeare,” said Joseph Penczak, the theater company's director.

The Troupe of Friends is a company that believes in providing “unique, vital, and free entertainment." Because the productions are free, the non-profit company relies on donations and fundraisers. In order to maintain a high caliber of work, Friends has received grant money from the NJ State Council of The Arts. Allowing the public to attend the shows free of charge is an aspect that Penczak believes is important. 

“I want to keep the shows free-I don’t want cost to be a prohibiting factor for anyone who wants to take their friends and family out to the park for an entertaining evening under the stars,” he said.

The preparation for "Julius Caesar" has been rooted in Westfield, as members of the team have a connection to the town. Bob Murray is the lighting designer, and he has done work for the Westfield Community Playhouse. The stage managers and sound technicians are Sara Hedgepeth and Julie Fetter, who run the Westfield-based children’s theater company Hedgehog & Feather. Alisa Korunow is the costume designer, and she is a Westfield resident. The 26 person cast was chosen through an open call.

The idea to choose "Julius Caesar" as the Shakespeare story to perform came from Penczak, upon learning that it would be performed in Mindowaskin Park. Usually held in Memorial Park, Recreation Director Bruce Kaufmann, suggested the production be shown in The Gazebo. The Recreation Department is sponsoring the performance.

After hearing Kaufmann's location proposal, Penczak thought the story “would look great against the gazebo’s white columns.”