Folger Theatre’s Julius X: A Re-envisioning of The Tragedy of Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare fuses Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar with Malcolm X’s legacy in an immersive production that challenges audiences to confront how history repeats itself and question our own role in shaping the American narrative.
Concept and Staging Give You an Immersive Experience
Julius X, directed by Nicole Brewer, captivates with its interactive stage, where audience reactions—cheers, gasps, or jeers—create a dynamic, immersive atmosphere. The stage design, with silhouettes casting evocative shadows, suggests an anonymous complacency, perhaps implicating we the audience, as potential co-conspirators ignoring (or shutting the blinds to) the drama’s moral conflicts.
Playwright Al Letson anchors the narrative, respecting Shakespeare’s structure, while weaving Malcolm X’s journey into it. This blend connects distant and recent histories, although it may require some homework to unpack its layers fully. The result is a production that leans heavily at times into the Shakespeare tradition but still offers a “concealed in the open” perspective on the Civil Rights era.
Performance and Themes Provide an Intimate Exploration
The performances in Julius X are solid, with Greg Alvarez Reid’s standout portrayal of Brutus anchoring the production. His nuanced depiction of a man torn between loyalty and principle brings depth to themes of power, betrayal, and fragile trust. The play’s exploration of the “crab bucket mentality”—where communities sometimes undermine our own progress—resonates powerfully, urging reflection on how we support or sabotage those closest to us.
A Thoughtful Theatrical Experience
Julius X bridges Julius Caesar’s ancient political intrigue with our American struggles with race, asking us not to tiptoe as we navigate the complexities of history today. The production offers a thought-provoking experience for those drawn to reimagined classics or historical retellings. It lingers as a prompt for reflection on leadership, trust, and our role in shaping the narrative of history.
Julius X is a production that challenges and engages, blending the past and present in a way that feels both urgent and timeless. Whether you’re a Shakespeare enthusiast, a history buff, or simply someone who appreciates bold storytelling, Julius X invites you to think critically about the stories we tell, the company we keep—and how we choose to remember them.
Located at 201 East Capitol Street, SE, Washington, DC 20003, Folger Theatre offers tickets ranging from $20 to $90, making it accessible for a wide audience. Julius X: A Re-envisioning of The Tragedy of Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare
(Featured photo) Shawn Sebastian Naar, Dwayne Alistair Thomas, and Greg Alverez Reid in Folger Theatre’s production of Julius X: A Re-envisioning of The Tragedy of Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare, written by Al Letson and directed by Nicole Brewer, on stage at the Folger Shakespeare Library, September 23-October 26, 2025. Photography by Erika Nizborski.
