Al Letson’s Play Blends Caesar’s Plight with Malcolm X in a Tour de Force at Folger
Julius X: A Re-Envisioning of The Tragedy of Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare
Folger Shakespeare Theatre
Jordan Wright
October 1, 2025
Special to The Zebra
Julius X: A Re-Envisioning of The Tragedy of Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare via Folger Shakespeare Theatre
“This is not the story you know, but something in between.” So begins playwright Al Letson’s Julius X, a layering of Shakespeare’s classic superimposed on the story of American Black nationalist Malcolm X, member of the Nation of Islam – a powerful grassroots movement created by Elijah Mohammed and one in which Malcolm X rose to the position of its national spokesman through his impressive ability to be a powerful motivational speaker.
This brilliantly written play reflects the parallel ‘his-story’ of these two powerful men – through an assassination and the destruction of a society. Familiar lines from the original play weave in and out of script, reminding the audience of its similarity to Julius Caesar. Letson slyly drops in one of the character’s names associated with the powerful Black movement of the 1960’s and early ‘70’s. Malcolm’s wife, called Calpurnia as in the original, is here given the last name of Shabazz, as in Betty Shabazz, his real-life wife who after leaving the Nation became a prominent spokeswoman for the Black Power movement. The resemblance to Shakespeare’s story of absolute power, conspiracy and tyranny are stunningly familiar. The resemblance to many current governments’ abuses of power is too familiar to ignore.
Cast of Julius X: A Re-envisioning of The Tragedy of Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare at Folger Shakespeare Theatre. (Photo/Erika Nizborski)
Set in New York’s Harlem where Malcolm came up running its hard streets, his connection to the community appears at first blush to be incontrovertible until he views it through a more inclusive lens after a spiritual journey to Mecca to understand his roots. His vision of the movement then redefined its mission from Civil Rights to Human Rights – to include Whites – and the Nation immediately rebels against his radical new message. Brutus and Cassius feel he has deserted the Black power movement and hatch their plot to assassinate him. As Brutus exclaims, “Oh, Harlem! I have no choice but to set her free.”
At this point, Malcolm X had already been investigated and vilified by New York’s Mayor Robert Wagner, the FBI and the CIA, and the writing was on the wall. A Greek chorus calls out in a hauntingly familiar refrain, “The Ides of March are upon us.” Portia, Brutus’s wife, in learning of her husband’s murder of Malcolm, wonders, “Who is this man who lies in my bed?” And Calpurnia’s urging to Marc Anthony to avenge her husband’s death tells him, “Unleash the dogs of war!” A phrase that will be familiar to all bardolaters.
Jay Frisby (Cassius), Dwayne Alistair Thomas (Casca), Greg Alverez Reid (Brutus), and Shawn Sebastian Naar (Marullus). (Photo/Erika Nizborski)
When the funeral of Malcolm X takes place, Marc Anthony, addressing the Nation of Islam and angling to assume Malcolm’s seat of power, Letson tweaks another familiar line to say, “Friends, Harlemites and countrymen…”.
Nicole Brewer’s excellent direction of this cast provides this play with intensity and meaning. Outstanding performances starring Brandon Carter as Julius X, Greg Alverez as Brutus, Jay Frisby as Cassius, Nikkole Salter as Calpurnia, Jonathan Del Palmer as Marc Anthony, Renee Elizabeth Wilson as Portia, Gaelyn D. Smith as both Cinna and Soothsayer, Lilli Hokama as Addara, Shawn Sebastian Naar as Octavius and Marullus, and Dwayne Alistair Thomas as Casca and Flavius elevate this exciting and relevant re-envisioning of Shakespeare’s historical tragedy.
Not to be missed!
Shawn Sebastian Naar (Octavius/Marullus), Renee Elizabeth Wilson (Portia), and Gaelyn D. Smith (Soothsayer). (Photo/Erika Nizborski)
Choreography by Shawn Short, Scenic Design by Jonathan Dahm Robertson, Costume Design by Danielle Preston, Lighting Design by Porsche McGovern, Sound Design by Thom J. Woodward, Projections Design by Andrés Poch, Dramaturg and Voice and Text Coach – John “Ray” Proctor.
Through October 26th at the Folger Shakespeare Theatre, 201 East Capitol Street, SE, Washington, DC 20003. For tickets and information call the box office at 202.544.7077 or visit www.Folger.edu/JuliusX