ASPEN ” The world of drama turned all too bloodily real during last night’s performance of “Scenes from Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar” at the Galena Plaza next to the Pitkin County Library.

During one of the play’s climactic scenes ” the murder of Caesar in the Roman Forum ” actor Kent Hudson Reed, playing the part of Brutus, accidentally stabbed himself.

Reed, the play’s producer, co-director and the founder of the eponymous Hudson Reed Ensemble, carried on bravely for several minutes. But then, with blood soaking through the leg of his cream-colored pants, he was forced to stop.

Reed, seemingly both embarrassed and in pain, apolo­gized to the audience of nearly 100, explained that he had stabbed himself, and said he would have to take a short break.

As his pants continued to redden, Reed walked offstage, favoring his wounded leg. Long minutes passed while Kim Nuzzo, as Caesar, continued to remain motionless on the ground and Lee Sullivan, as Marc Antony, and Gary Mora­bito, as Cassius, stood by, clearly at a loss.

Eventually, Tyson Young, the play’s narrator, came out to announce that the evening’s performance would have to be canceled while Reed was rushed to the hospital.

“That’s what you get for trying to kill Caesar,” Young noted, adding that the ensemble will try again Thursday.

ASPEN ” The world of drama turned all too bloodily real during last night’s performance of “Scenes from Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar” at the Galena Plaza next to the Pitkin County Library.

During one of the play’s climactic scenes ” the murder of Caesar in the Roman Forum ” actor Kent Hudson Reed, playing the part of Brutus, accidentally stabbed himself.

Reed, the play’s producer, co-director and the founder of the eponymous Hudson Reed Ensemble, carried on bravely for several minutes. But then, with blood soaking through the leg of his cream-colored pants, he was forced to stop.

Reed, seemingly both embarrassed and in pain, apologized to the audience of nearly 100, explained that he had stabbed himself, and said he would have to take a short break.

As his pants continued to redden, Reed walked offstage, favoring his wounded leg. Long minutes passed while Kim Nuzzo, as Caesar, continued to remain motionless on the ground and Lee Sullivan, as Marc Antony, and Gary Morabito, as Cassius, stood by, clearly at a loss.

Eventually, Tyson Young, the play’s narrator, came out to announce that the evening’s performance would have to be canceled while Reed was rushed to the hospital.

“That’s what you get for trying to kill Caesar,” Young noted, adding that the ensemble will try again tonight.