Presenting Shakespeare is always a tricky thing. Does the famous bard’s centuries-old work get updated, or is a prim and proper approach best? In the case of Class 6 Theatre’s vision, Shakespeare merely acts as guide and jumping off place. Believed to have been written in 1599, Julius Caesar gets a serious update for 2014. Togas are out, skinny jeans are in, and cell phone conversations are used for dialogue sharing. Of course, in Caesar’s day, men dominated politics and society. Part of the fun here is the cross-gender, tables-turned direction the play follows as women become a major political force. Of course, it all ends the same -- with assassination and revolution -- but getting there is all the fun.
All hail Caesar at 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 9, and through Sunday, May 11, at Mesa Arts Center, One East Main Street. Tickets are $20, Military and Students $16. Visit www.mesaartscenter.com or call 480-644-6500.
Wed., May 7, 7:30 p.m.; Thu., May 8, 7:30 p.m.; Fri., May 9, 7:30 p.m.; Sat., May 10, 7:30 p.m.; Sun., May 11, 2 p.m., 2014
