This exciting award-winning rock musical by Cheryl E. Kemeny was developed at the MidTown International Festival in NYC as well as at the Planet Connections Theatre Festivities in 2009.
Born into a country rife with intrigue and suspicion, Cleopatra quickly loses the bloom of youthful ignorance, learning the importance of duty and the mantra of the ruling class to "kill or be killed." Ascending to the throne upon the death of her weak-willed father, her attempts to rule are undermined by her ambitious younger brother, whose efforts only succeed in plunging the country into a civil war. Enter Julius Caesar.
Although many in Egypt want to fight the Romans, Cleopatra realizes the futility of such an action. Rather she wants Egypt to become part of the Roman Empire, enjoying its protection, while remaining a power in its own right. This requires her to form an alliance with Julius Caesar--an alliance which is not well received back in Rome, (a fact which leads to Caesar’s final downfall). At the birth of her son (Caesarion), Cleopatra seizes the advantage of being the mother of Caesar’s only living offspring and heads for Rome. Soon after, Cleopatra sees her protector cruelly assassinated, but, later finds new opportunities (and love) in the arms of Marc Antony and new enemies-Octavian, Caesar’s proclaimed heir and successor and Fulvia, Marc Antony’s wife and Octavia, Marc’s 2nd wife and sister to Octavian.
Whether thought of as a beloved Queen or disparagingly referred to as "that woman", through it all, Cleopatra wants only one thing - a strong Egypt. But while she makes great strides to that end, she cannot win over her detractors, always having to deal with gossip, second-guessing and predictions of doom which foreshadow her final downfall and descent into legend.
Directed by Samantha Kulish, musical direction by Cheryl E Kemeny, choreography by Char Fromentin.
