**** Highly Recommended The Q Brothers Collective – GQ, JQ, Jax and Pos – are back at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre with their unique take on Julius Caesar. Rome Sweet Rome is fresh, cheeky, fun and very original. Loved it! 4 Spotlights
Thinking back, the first time I saw the Q Brothers Collective and friends was in Funk It Up About Nuthin’. I thought that was one of the most creative shows I’d ever seen. Then I saw Othello: the Remix, where JQ, GQ, Jax and Pos played all the parts – male and female – in Shakespeare’s tragedy. I was blown away. Then came The Q Brothers Christmas Carol, and I fell in love!
Through all of the Q Brothers’s productions you’ll find the same tongue-in-cheek rhymes as well as references to people, places and events of the day, clever puns, and humorous approach to characters. All the essential characters are there, but slightly off – like reggae music as Jacob Marley’s eternal punishment in QBCC.
GQ doesn’t appear in Rome Sweet Rome, while JQ lends his unique voice to DJ, Cicero and Meta World War Three. Pos plays Caesar and Octavius while Jax plays Caesar’s security guard Tre Bone, Billy and DJ.
Jax, Pos & JQ
Also appearing: Janyce Caraballo as Lucy and Anne Marellus; Danielle Davis as Casca, and a TV Reporter; Victor Musoni as Brutus and Chuck D; Cage Sebastian Pierre as Tony; Maya Vinice Prentiss as Flavius Flav and C-Pimp; Jonathan Shaboo as Cash, and Soothy Sue; and Bri Sudia as Purney.
Rome Sweet Rome is based on Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar in Rome, but it looks ands sounds a lot like America today. A popular charismatic Caesar (Pos) who rules Rome makes a series of ridiculous executive orders. The last straw for many – outlawing bread. Persuading the Senator crew to do something about it is a lot easier since they’re craving bread – in an absolutely hilarious salute to Bread in all its forms!
After Brutus (Musoni) does the deed, Caesar’s son Octavius (Pos) takes over with his mother, Purney (Sudia) assisting. After Tony (Pierre) makes a fiery speech, the mob goes after the conspirators, Octavius brings back bread and everything goes back to normal – sort of.
Rome Sweet Rome runs through October 19th in the Jentes Family Courtyard Theatre at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre on Navy Pier, Chicago. Parking in CST’s designated area in the Navy Pier Garage is available at a 40% discount with validation from CST.
Running time is 80 minutes, no intermission. Performances are Tuesdays at 7:30 pm; Wednesdays at 1:00 & 7:30 pm; Thursdays & Fridays at 7:30 pm; Saturdays at 2:30 & 7:30 pm; Sundays at 2:30 pm. Tickets range from $55-$95. FYI (312) 595-5600 or www.chicagoshakes.com