Tonight We Open! Time to Get Savvy.

Sav Amendola

Sav Amendola, a Pennsylvania native, plays the dual roles of Calpurnius (Caesar’s husband) and Octavius (their son). He took some time out of his busy schedule- usually spent working at his family’s truly “Deli-cious” Scranton deli and coaching high school sports- to describe both of his characters and the roles they play in the unfolding drama of Caesar’s demise.

Tell us about yourself!
I grew up in Philly but have lived in the Scranton area long enough to call it home.  I like to hang from trees and rock-climb.  I am interested in the origins of the universe, CMB, and making music.  I coach Track for Holy Cross High School and I do math problems in remote locations of libraries late friday nights.  I am an expert cannoli-filler at Amendola Deli-cious (999 Providence Rd. Scranton). 

What theater have you been involved in outside of Ghostlight?
I have done theater off-and-on since high-school and college with groups such as Actors Circle at Providence Playhouse.  My favorite roles were playing Jesus in "The Passion According to The Gospel of St. John", Joe Pendleton in "Heaven Can Wait", and Max Halliday in "Dial M For Murder."  

What is Calpurnius’ view and thoughts on Caesar both as his wife and as the country’s leader-to-be?
Calpurnius loves his wife Caesar, but she drives him crazy at times because of her head-strong ways and brushes with danger.  He is proud and always supportive of his wife and her talents for leadership.  He believes that she would be a great leader of Rome and would do a lot to bring about stability to the prevailing tumult.  He is very protective of his wife and worries frequently for her safety, especially of late, given the inherent dangers of being a Roman military leader.  

What is the dynamic like between Calpurnius and Caesar? Describe their relationship.
Calpurnius and Caesar love each other, but Caesar's ambition and confidence causes tension at times.  Caesar respects her husband, who was successful in his own right, and can be swayed by Calpurnius's counsel, but his influence over his wife is limited by Caesar's strongheaded ambition as well as the counsel of her close military advisers. 

What were your initial thoughts or impressions on the gender reversal of Caesar’s and Calpurnius’ roles? Have those impressions changed?
My initial impression was "say, what?"  I thought it the work of the Devil to mess with the work and original intent of genius-man Billy Shakespeare.  I was going to turn it down because it seemed strange to play a role traditionally played as Calpurnia the wife of male-leader Caesar.  But I trusted Rachel and said “what the hey!” I see the role of Calpurnius simply as the role of a supportive husband to a very successful wife.    

How does Octavius fit into the triumvirate?
Octavius, the adopted son of Caesar and Calpurnius, is a young man, immensely intelligent and a prodigy in the military arts.  He was schooled in all the best academies since youth and has grown-up thinking himself a leader and one day perhaps one of the leaders of the Roman Empire.  He recently comes from the military exploits of the western part of the Empire with Lepidus his friend and close ally.  He will share leadership after Caesar's tragic fall with Lepidus.  Besides Lepidus, Marc Antony, the older, esteemed general, will share the 'tri-fold' power with them, although Octavius has his misgivings about Antony.       

What are Octavius’ views on Caesar and all that has happened?
​Octavius is outraged over the death of his parents.  He loved Caesar his mother.  Rome must be purged of treason.  He is blood-thirsty and will stop at nothing to avenge their deaths.      

---