An early cave--portent of things to come--

AI Overview

The "Shakespeare in the Park" production of Julius Caesar in Central Park during the first year of the Trump administration, from May to June 2017, featured the title character in the likeness of Donald Trump. This portrayal, along with the traditional assassination scene, led to a public outcry and significant controversy.

Key aspects of the production and its public reaction:

Trump likeness: The Public Theater's production, directed by Oskar Eustis, depicted Julius Caesar wearing a suit, a red tie, and a blond wig styled like Trump's hair. The character's wife, Calpurnia, also had a Slavic accent, similar to that of Melania Trump.

Controversial scene: The assassination scene, a core part of Shakespeare's play, was staged with the Trump-like Caesar being repeatedly stabbed and killed on stage. News of this, particularly after video clips spread online, caused outrage among Trump's supporters, with some interpreting it as a call for political violence against the sitting president.

Loss of sponsors: The public backlash resulted in corporate sponsors, including Delta Air Lines and Bank of America, withdrawing their funding for the Public Theater. Other companies, like American Express, issued statements distancing themselves from the specific production.

Protests and disruption: The controversy led to protests at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park. On June 16, 2017, two right-wing activists stormed the stage during the assassination scene, temporarily halting the performance.

Defense of the production: The Public Theater and many within the arts community defended the staging as a piece of political satire consistent with the long history of reinterpreting Shakespeare to reflect current events. Director Oskar Eustis stated that the play is a cautionary tale against using undemocratic means to defend democracy. He emphasized that the aftermath of Caesar's murder in the play is a disaster for the conspirators and the state.