Three is a magic number! And for our third interview with the cast of Julius Caesar, let’s hear from Jonathan Maynard, who plays Cinna(s).
Q: In 25 words or less, what is the story behind the play Julius Caesar?
Jonathan: Caesar is becoming too powerful. Or is he? One group of men believe so and believe there is only one way to stop it: bloodshed.
Q: What character(s) do you play?
Jonathan: Cinna the Conspirator and, by a twist of fate (?), Cinna the Poet
Q: Why did you want to be part of this show?
Jonathan: Having previously been a part of MacBeth at ARTS, I was thrilled to get another opportunity to work at ARTS, directed by Mike Murdock, in Shakespeare. The ability to work with such like-minded people, who really enjoy bringing something like this to a living, breathing, existence is just beyond enjoyable.
Q: What's your theatre background, and why do you enjoy doing community theatre shows?
Jonathan: I am absolutely a newbie to theatre. Caesar will mark only the fifth time I have stepped on stage. I was drawn into the world by my lovely wife who has been doing theatre for years. Once the bug hit, however, I was hooked. I know I have a tremendous amount to learn, but every rehearsal offers lessons and skills that just cannot be learned anywhere else. The experiences and friendships one makes cannot be gained in any other venue.
Q: Why would you recommend this show?
Jonathan: It is a classic. However, you will see things you won't see anywhere else. I won't spoil it but I can guarantee that you haven't seen Shakespeare quite like this before. Plus there's blood, lots of blood. And who doesn't like that?
Q: Biggest challenge to this show?
Jonathan: Playing two characters with vastly different personalities. I quite literally am both a lover and a fighter. To keep the intensity of one but not have it spill into the other gives me a new perspective on character development.
Q: Why Shakespeare?
Jonathan: Why not? Shakespeare wrote about the basest elements of the human experience; love, hate, power, jealousy, fear, happiness, etc, etc. And he did it so skillfully that he likely coined an entire section of words for the dictionary. The stories are timeless, the characters are memorable, and, it is just fun to speak in Shakespearean English.
Q: Tell us show dates, times, place.
Jonathan: March 15, 16, 22, 23 at 8:00 p.m. nightly at the Renaissance Theatre in the old Huntington High School Building.
Thanks, Jonathan!
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