This year, veteran director Marc Comstock has assembled a cast of talented actors to present Julius Caesar, a tale of political power and intrigue that is relevant today. Nearly every actor handles the language of the Bard well. Matt Andrade is particularly effective as Brutus. Meghan Bode as Portia is also outstanding, bringing an interesting physicality to the role. Vincent Marcus as Cassius and Owen Reid Callis as Marc Antony deliver honest characters; Callis delivers the famous funeral speech with fresh insights. Adam Tedesco distinguishes himself as Lucius with his total commitment to the role.

Comstock stages the more intimate scenes effectively, but some of the transition scenes lack focus and specificity. The assassination of Julius Caesar is staged well and was shocking.

The beautiful setting of the Veteran's Memorial Park amphitheater for the Festival continues to be problematic for the presentation of plays. The vast open stage area hinders focus as does inadequate lighting. The sound system is a disaster, with floor mics replacing previous body mics to no avail.

What little lighting there is does not allow the audience to see the action of the first act well. At the performance I attended, there was a New Mexico wind that was picked up by the floor mics and enhanced by a sound design that featured a storm. It was a cacophony of angry sound that nearly drowned out the actors. By the second act the wind had died down and it was dark enough for the lights to illuminate the action.

Generally, the technical aspects of the production are not up to the quality of the acting. The modern dress costumes are dull in color and do nothing to differentiate the many male characters. The unit set is serviceable if a bit difficult for the actors to navigate.

This evening under the stars is not to be missed. A relaxed audience with children and dogs on blankets is to be supported and cherished. Shakespeare is truly for everyone. Grab your chance to try it out.

Julius Caesar runs through July 11, 2026, in rolling repertory with The Winter's Tale at the New Mexico Shakespeare Festival, New Mexico Veterans Memorial Park, 1100 Louisiana Blvd., SE, Albuquerque NM. Performances Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays at 7:30 pm. No tickets necessary; the performances are free. For information, please visit nmshakes.org.

Directed by Marc Comstock. Assistant Director: Heather Lovick-Tolley, Stage Manager: Julian Wheaton, Costume Designer: Kaylee Silcocks: Gore, Set Designer: Ryan Jason Cook, Fight Choreographer: Zane Barker, Prop Designer: DeLaney Beattie, Sound Designer: Kameron Swanson, Lighting Designer: RayRey Griego.

The Cast: Matt Heath, Paula Feather, Matt Andrade, Vincent Marcus, Sasha Menendez, Meghan Bode, Owen Reid Callis, Penelope Richards, Chris Black, Kurt Keilbach, Nathan Simpson-Coffelt, MJ Abney, Adam Tedesco, Steve Gonzales, Nelia Bryant.