The head of Caesar, above, is transported to the Delacourte Theater in Central Park aboard a flatbed truck.
Shakespeare’s ‘Julius Caesar’ becomes a mammoth work of art at Central Park’s Delacorte
Theate
by Olivia Winslow
Staff Writer
Text and Photos by Ari Mintz
The head of Caesar, above, is transported to the Delacourte Theater in Central Park aboard a flatbed truck. |
MORE GRAY MATTER than usual is being exercised these days at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park, with the opening Sunday night of "Julius Caesar,” Shakespeare's tale of political ambition, intrigue and betrayal. The second production of the 45th summer season of Shakespeare in Central Park runs through Sept. 3.
 Sculptor Dan Dalrymple gives carpenters directions on how to set up the bust, which weighs 400 pounds. |
 Head painter Hugh Morris-Stan adds years to the face with a black wash. |
The actors -- David McCallum in the title role, Jeffrey Wright as Marc Antony, Dennis Boutsikaris as Cassius and Jamey Sheridan as Brutus -- share the stage with huge wood-framed papier mache reproductions of the head and hand of Julius Caesar. The director is Barry Edelstein, artistic director of the Classic Stage Company, who is making his Delacorte debut. The 10-foot high golden head of Caesar weighs 400 pounds, is 26 feet in circumference and is moved about by a custom crane that pivots and tilts; the oversized 14-foot long, 10-foot wide hand can support actors.
 With the finished head now on stage, actors go through a rehearsal for the opening scene of Shakespeare's "Julius Caesar." |
Techies from the Joseph Papp Public Theater have worked feverishly to furnish the vision of set designer Narelle Sissons, who has created "a world that has power and strength combined with spirituality.” To this end, she employs a deconstructed look that includes traditional and modern architecture. Sculptor Dan Dalrymple began his work by shooting a few polaroids of McCallum, then heading off to the Metropolitan Museum of Art to research classical Roman-style statuary. In casting the papier mache, he drew on his own experience building floats for the Mardi Gras parade.
 Artist Bethany Ann McDonald takes a break to look over the black paint she is applying to Caesar's gold-painted face to age it. |
Free tickets are available (two per person) and can be picked up on performance days at the Delacorte (enter the park at 81st Street and Central Park West or 79th Street and Fifth Avenue) starting at 1 p.m. Tickets will also be distributed from 1 to 3 p.m. daily at the Public Theater, 425 Lafayette St., near Astor Place.
(Newsday 8/20/2000)