Protesters interrupt last ‘Julius Caesar’ performance that casts Trump look-alike
The Public Theater’s production of Julius Caesar in New York’s Central Park has been controversial because the title role is played by an actor who is dressed and styled to resemble President Donald Trump, including a long red tie and puffy blond hair. The kneeling actress portrays Mark Antony. (The Public Theater)
WASHINGTON – The Public Theater’s controversial rendition of “Julius Caesar” was interrupted again Sunday in New York’s Central Park – with two protesters storming the stage during the final performance, including one who shouted: “Liberal hate kills!”
The Public Theater’s staging of “Julius Caesar” for free Shakespeare in the Park performances has sparked outrage because the title character is dressed and styled to resemble President Donald Trump. Caesar is assassinated in the play.
Javanni Valle, 26, and Salvatore Cipolla, 28, rushed the stage at different times during the play Sunday. Valle interrupted in the beginning, shouting: “Liberal hate kills!” and “Goebbels would be proud,” referring to Adolf Hitler’s proproganda minister, Joseph Goebbels. Cipollla disrupted the infamous assassination scene and also shouted “Goebbels would be proud.” Both were arrested, and charged with trespassing and disorderly conduct
Two alt-right bloggers interrupted the play on Friday night. Laura Loomer, livestreamed her rush onto the stage, shouting “Stop leftist violence!” and “New York Public Theater is ISIS!” Meanwhile, Jack Bosobiec videotaped her and shouted “You’re all Nazis like Joseph Goebbels!” – referring to Adolf Hitler’s minister of propoganda. Both of those protesters were arrested and charged with trespassing and disorderly conduct.
Fox News and Breitbart both denounced the production. Delta Air Lines and Bank of America pulled their sponsorship of the Public Theater because of the play, which opened May 23.
The Public Theater has defended the play, which it says “in no way advocates violence towards anyone.” The theater said in a statement that the heated discussion about the play “is exactly the goal of our civically-engaged theater; this discourse is the basis of a healthy democracy.”
This article is republished with permission from Talk Media News.
Regina Holmes has more than two decades of experience as a journalist –editing and reporting for news dailies including the Miami Herald, Newsday and the Baltimore Examiner.