Come to bury Caesar or come to praise him 鈥� just make sure to come to a performance of Bard in the Valley鈥檚 latest summer production, Julius Caesar.

This summer, Bard in the Valley is celebrating its fifth season of outdoor theatre in 91原创 by stepping away from the Bard鈥檚 comedic offerings and staging one of his great tragedies.

The production opens on Canada Day in Fort 91原创 and closes on Aug. 3 on the Spirit Square Stage in Douglas Park. In Between, it will make a stop at Township 7 winery.

Caesar returns to Rome after victory over Pompey the Great, but not all Rome is willing to heap honours on the Great General.

Instead, Caesar is assassinated by a group of conspirators and the republic is plunged into civil war.

Produced by Diane Gendron and directed by Darcy J. Knopp, the same duo who staged last year鈥檚 successful production of The Comedy of Errors, this year鈥檚 effort takes a gritty look at honour, patriotism, friendship and an empire on the road to ruin.

鈥淲e recognize there is an element of risk as we descend to a darker side, but we expect our audiences were ready for a change as well.鈥�

鈥淭he play, written by William Shakespeare more than 400 years ago is about a political event that took place 1,600 years before that, and yet everything about it is still relevant around the world today,鈥� she said.

鈥淎 regime is toppled, a realm thrown into chaos and life for the people does not improve. Sounds all too familiar.

鈥淥ur production is edgy, action-packed and filled with intrigue and betrayal.鈥�

鈥淭he once proud Coliseum is now a collection of broken arches and missing stones,鈥� added Knopp.

鈥淲aves of fear and anger from Rome鈥檚 desperate citizens has cost its empire dearly and darker days are on the horizon.鈥�

In this play, audiences will recognize some of the most famous lines in the English language, from 鈥淓t, tu, Brute?鈥� to 鈥渋t was Greek to me鈥� and 鈥淔riends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears鈥� 鈥� all told in the fashion of a modern graphic novel.

鈥�2014 is Bard in the Valley鈥檚 fifth anniversary, a milestone, so when (Knopp) gave us the choice of producing another comedy or Julius Caesar, the Bard in the Valley board saw this as an opportunity to try something different.

鈥淲e knew with Knopp directing, we wouldn鈥檛 be seeing the same play many people remember studying laboriously in high school.

鈥淗is interpretation is exciting, edgy and filled with spectacle,鈥� said Gendron, who is also BIV president.

Audiences are invited to come early and bring a blanket, lawn chairs and a picnic. Theatre snacks will be sold onsite.

鈥淏ard in the Valley is able to continue to bring this exciting summer theatre to 91原创 because of the wonderful support from the community and the 60 talented and dedicated cast, crew and production team who volunteer their time and energy for the season, because we want to give something worthwhile back to the community,鈥�  said Gendron.

鈥淲e are delighted to be involved with Fort 91原创鈥檚 Canada Day Celebrations. Julius Caesar is just one of the many activities people can enjoy that day, including the Festival of the Book, fun at the Centennial Museum and Farm Museum and, of course, the Fort National Historic Site.鈥�

This year鈥檚 production is dedicated to Bard in the Valley founder, Allan Thain, who passed away last December.

Performance dates:

鈥� Tuesday, July 1, at 3 p.m. on the lawn in front of Fort 91原创鈥檚 historic community hall during Canada Day Celebrations. Admission is free.

鈥�  July 11, 12, 18, 19 & 20 at the Township 7 Winery in 91原创. Evening performances begin at 7 p.m. and the Sunday matinee is at 2 p.m.

鈥�  July 24, 25, 26, 27, 31 and Aug. 1, 2, & 3, on the outdoor Spirit Square Stage in Douglas Park in 91原创 City. Admission is free. Evening performances begin at 7 p.m. and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m.

For more Information about The Bard in the Valley Theatre Company please visit www.bardinthevalley.com.

Admission is free to nine of the 14 shows, however donations will be welcome to help cover production costs.

Tickets to attend the performances at the Township 7 Winery are $20 and can be reserved online. Go to township7.com and click on events.