West Bloomfield

Back-to-back Shakespeare shows sweep Berman

By Eric Czarnik
C & G Staff Writer

WEST BLOOMFIELD — A double dose of the “Bard of Avon” will visit West Bloomfield this March.

The Berman Center for the Performing Arts will host the nationally touring theater troupe, The Acting Company, as it presents “Julius Caesar” March 10 and “The Comedy of Errors” March 11.

According to Ian Belknap, director of “The Comedy of Errors,” it is important to bring Shakespeare to the 21st century American stage because he does something that many contemporary authors no longer do — he gives the audience the truth.

“Even when the characters are deceiving each other, the audience knows it,” he said. “We often disregard what truth actually means, and that’s what Shakespeare does so well. He never lies to us. He’s the master linguist, and language is the expression of thoughts by words.”

Actor William Sturdivant, 28, is playing lead roles in both productions. In “Julius Caesar,” he portrays the betrayer Brutus. He plays Antipholus of Ephesus in “The Comedy of Errors.”

Sturdivant said this is his third year at The Acting Company, and these shows put his total Shakespeare productions at 14 in the past nine years. He said the two plays are both fast-paced, but they differ in their themes: “Caesar” is more of a tragedy, while “The Comedy of Errors,” as the title says, is comedic.

When he first read “Caesar” for the first time, he learned how suitable it was for modern-day audiences.

“I was surprised by how immediate the text was and how very acceptable the language is,” he said. “Even in ‘Romeo and Juliet’ or ‘Hamlet,’ there are a lot of extended metaphors in those plays.”

Sturdivant said both of his current roles required a whole new set of skills as an actor — particularly with memorization, stamina and focus. But the role of Brutus in “Caesar” stands out to him because it requires an ability to connect with the audience.

“I try to really connect my vulnerability and true honesty,” he said. “I let them know … that it is for them that I have to embark on this journey of, ultimately, self-destruction.”

Sturdivant, who lives in North Carolina, said he has never been to Michigan before. He said he is looking forward to visiting, but doesn’t know yet what he’ll be doing in his off time.

“On every tour that I’ve been on, there’s been someone who has a sort of knack of sort of getting to know about the things of each place,” he said. “To be quite frank, we’re traveling around everywhere. ... When you’re bouncing around so much, once you arrive, then you figure it out.”

The Berman Center for the Performing Arts, 6600 W. Maple Road in West Bloomfield, will host The Acting Company’s production of “Julius Caesar” at 8 p.m. March 10. It will present “The Comedy of Errors” at 3 p.m. March 11. To learn more about tickets, visit www.theberman.org or call (248) 661-1900.

You can reach C & G Staff Writer Eric Czarnik at eczarnik@candgnews.com or at (586)498-1058.