Chicago Shakespeare Theater: Rome Sweet Rome
JQ, Danielle Davis, Maya Vinice Prentiss, Victor Musoni, and Jonathan Shaboo
Chicago Shakespeare Theatre Presents ROME SWEET ROME Review - As Roman As A Pizza Pie
TLDR: A new take on Shakespeare's Julius Caesar, the Q Brothers Collective present their updated rap and musical version of the play in a tight 80min parody. Lots of campy jokes and bits combined with a party atmosphere keep the audience laughing while also drawing parallels to the political atmosphere of today.
Bri Sudia, Postell Pringle (POS), and Cage Sebastian Pierre
Double Cheeked Up, On A Tuesday Afternoon
The party has already started when we walk into the Chicago Shakespeare Theater. Two DJs are hyping the crowd up playing 90s hits and the crowd is answering. Audience members put their hands in the air like they just don’t care and get up from their seats to dance in the aisles finding other people dancing as well. Speakers are arranged in the center to look like a platform and podium above the lower level of the stage. Neon lights frame asymmetrical structures and a giant statue of Caesar stands prominently on the left side of the stage. Though this statue is so big we only see from the bottom down, nobody can miss the bronze sculpture of Caesar’s *ahem* ass-ets.
Starting off the show is a televised wrap battle where the crews are arguing about topics eerily similar to the two main two political groups of today. The host Flavius Flav of course wears a giant clock around their neck and a wide smile as they exclaim “Yeah boiii!” We forget the man with the crown is also watching this rap battle on TV until suddenly a security guard marches right into the live broadcast and forcefully grabs an offending rapper offstage. Everyone else stands by and the host laughs awkwardly, not sure what to do next. Instead they end the TV show with a cry of the nation’s motto, P.F.L!
The company of Rome Sweet Rome
Any Of This Seem Familiar?
As we’re introduced to the current social and political landscape of Rome, the man of the hour makes his grand entrance with all the pomp and circumstance of Michael Jordan in his heyday. Julius Caesar (played by POS) enters with spotlights rotating and flashing and smoke billowing out of the wings. In athletic pants and gilded pink and gold bomber jacket and a laurel wreath around his head he takes to the microphone to announce his new policy on food - no more bread! Then comes the whirlwind of political underdealings.
The charismatic Brutus and fellow senator Cash (Victor Musoni and Jonathan Shaboo) gather support from a variety of characters on their quest to overthrow this salad-hungry dictator. Janyce Caraballo as a mad lover of carbs steals the scene when she passionately sings about bringing back the bread. We meet Italian restaurant owners who only serve cauliflower crust pizza (*wink wink*) and attend a Halloween party that involves everyone in costume dancing to “Thriller.”
Then it all stops. It feels like we have a moment of Musoni breaking the fourth wall as he stops the action. He steps downstage and appears to be speaking directly to us. His microphone is turned off and so it's just him, the actor, vulnerable and appears smaller as we lean in to listen to him. “This is scary,” he says, gesturing around him. Is he referring to the play? The content? Caesar's politics? Or are we talking on a different level? Is this all supposed to be a metaphor and reflection of today?
The majority of Rome Sweet Rome is campy jokes and bits that feel like their edging towards something until we finally get that moment and see it all come together.
Postell Pringle (POS)
The After Party Thoughts
I'm curious how long ago the Q Brothers Collective started writing this version of Julius Caesar or should my question be, how long after Trump was elected did they start writing this? It feels like they wanted to draw parallels to the current administration as a dictator passes his own laws and figures out how to get rid of anyone who stands in his way.
While Rome Sweet Rome is a political play, it is still an entertaining parody. It’s creative in the staging, the characters, the lyrics, and the set design. It’s high energy from state to finish, and anyone who wants a modern Julius Caesar would love this show.
I did overhear two patrons saying the show felt very millennial, so take that as you will. I'm curious if that comes from Hamilton’s influence as Rome Sweet Rome follows a similar structure with songs, rapping, and political themes. If that’s not your speed, then this show wouldn’t be a good fit for you. However, if that’s what you’re looking for and want an energized new take on a Shakespeare classic, then Rome Sweet Rome would be a good fit for you!
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Danielle Davis (center) with the company
When
Now through October 19, 2025
Where
Chicago Shakespeare Theatre
Navy Pier
800 E Grand Ave.
Chicago, IL 60611
Runtime: 80min, no intermission
Tickets
$30+
Tickets can be purchased by calling the box office at 312.595.5600 or through the Chicago Shakespeare Theater website
Photos
Kyle Flubacker
Janyce Caraballo (center) with the company
CAST
JQ (DJ / Cicero / Meta World War Three)
JAX (Tre Bone / Billy / DJ)
POS (Caesar / Octavius)
Janyce Caraballo (Lucy / Anne Marellus)
Danielle Davis (Casca / TV Reporter)
Victor Musoni (Brutus / Chuck D)
Cage Sebastian Pierre (Tony)
Maya Vinice Prentiss (Flavius Flav / C-Pimp)
Jonathan Shaboo (Cash / Soothy Sue)
Bri Sudia (Purney)
Madeline Baird (Understudy)
Theo Gyra (Understudy)
Elexis Selmon (Understudy)
The company of Rome Sweet Rome
CREATIVE
Q Brothers Collective (Created by GQ, JQ, JAX, and POS)
Tanji Harper (Choreographer)
Collette Pollard (Scenic Designer)
Jos N. Banks (Costume Designer)
Jesse Klug (Lighting Designer)
Stephen Ptacek (Sound Designer)
Bob Mason (Casting)
Joe Disbrow (Associate Sound Designer)
Rita Vreeland (Production Stage Manager)
Danny Fender (Assistant Stage Manager)