UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- In April, the steps of Old Main will be used as more than an entrance into Penn State’s administrative home. The School of Theatre will stage a production of “Julius Caesar” on the steps, with three performances at 7:30 p.m. April 15 to 17. On April 17, Penn State’s Philharmonic Orchestra will perform Aaron Copland’s “Lincoln Portrait” prior to “Julius Caesar.” Both the April 17 concert and “Julius Caesar” performance will be livestreamed by College of Communications students. All performances — which precede the annual Blue-White Game on April 18 — are free and open to the public.
“I was always interested in doing something on the steps of Old Main,” said Travis DeCastro, associate director for production for the School of Theatre. “Including the Philharmonic Orchestra is one of those serendipitous things — it was just an idea, and then things all came together.”
“Lincoln Portrait,” which includes spoken parts that will be performed by Penn State graduate acting students, was chosen because the dates of the “Julius Caesar” presentation include the anniversary of Abraham Lincoln’s assassination (April 15, 1865). “With these performances, we will address themes such as protecting the union, winning the peace and misuse of power. In these days and times, despotism and tyranny are clearly evident in our political makeup,” said DeCastro. “However, healing is possible. Lincoln demonstrated this during his presidency, and we honor that by pairing the two pieces together.”