Shakespeare in the Park will entertain residents of (and visitors to) the Town of Cortlandt this fall, according to Supervisor Dr. Richard Becker, who told River Journal North, “We have arranged for Hudson Valley Shakespeare [based in Garrison] to come to the new Cortlandt Performance Stage on Riverview Avenue, in Verplanck. They will be performing Julius Caesar on Saturday, Sept. 20, at 7 p.m.”
The supervisor added there will be a laser light show after the performance, and food trucks available. “I expect there will be several thousand folks in attendance,” he said. “Normally, tickets to these shows are expensive, but this will be a free concert to the public. This is similar to Shakespeare in the Park in New York City. We are truly grateful to the Board of Directors of Hudson Valley Shakespeare for making this event possible.”
Hudson Valley Shakespeare Associate Artistic Director Sean McNall, who also is Director of Education, said the Cortlandt performance
is one of several one-day or limited-run community engagements on the troupe’s fall Julius Caesar tour, which includes Sleepy Hollow High School and Bannerman Island, with other locations pending.
“These performances allow us to bring professional Shakespeare directly into schools and communities across the region,” said McNall, who adds, “We’re also presenting two student matinees under our tent in Garrison on September 9 and 10, giving students the opportunity to experience Shakespeare in a dedicated performance space with a post-show talkback and optional workshop.”
McNall added that “The 90-minute touring production is designed for students and community members alike, and explores Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar through the lens of modern civic discourse. Adapted and directed by Raz Golden, the production focuses on how language can shape politics and personal destiny, as well as the consequences of power, loyalty, public opinion, and democratic fragility. The play’s events echo contemporary political discourse and student activism.”
McNall said the tour “is part of a larger three-year transition to a permanent, campus-based education model in Garrison. While that model continues to grow, our in-school and community-based performances remain essential. It’s a strategic way for us to build relationships, expand access, and support cultural learning across the region.”
The cast features Blaze Adler-Ivanbrook as Cassius, Aamar-Malik Culbreth as Mark Anthony, Dylan Scarlett Foster as Portia/Calpurnia, Anvita Gattani as Casca, India Shea as Julius Caesar, Victor Yang as Brutus.
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Bruce Apar is Editorial Director of River Journal.
