She was the most beautiful woman in the ancient world, and the most reviled. A pragmatic ruler who believed in keeping both friends and enemies within arm's length, yet she was hated by her subjects who felt she gave away too much and scarified her country's national identity. She loved passionately and deeply, yet was often seen as little more than a concubine, mistress or whore to those who wished her downfall. She was Cleopatra, Queen of Egypt, lover of Julius Caesar and Marc Antony, born to rule and fated for tragedy. Yet with a lifelong attitude of "nothing can be gained without risk," Cleopatra made a lasting mark during her short life, her name still remembered today. Now, this majestic ruler's life and times are powerfully (and musically) chronicled in CLEOPATRA - A LIFE UNPARALLELED, beginning June 13th at the Robert Moss Theater, located at 440 Lafayette Street at Astor Place, as part of the Planet Connections Theater Festivity.
With book, music and lyrics by Cheryl E. Kemeny, direction by Barbara Labbadia and produced by Crystal Theatre, Inc and L2 Entertainment, Inc., CLEOPATRA - A LIFE UNPARALLELED tells the fabled monarch's story though music ranging from blues to rock to ballad. In a time when those who had power were constantly marked for assassination, Cleopatra confounded her detractors -- who all too often dismissed her as a mere woman -- surviving her brother's attempts to remove her from the throne, by forging alliances with Caesar and Antony, with her only constant goal being the glory of Egypt. However once Cleopatra allowed her vision to be colored by the gaze of love, her fate was sealed. Yet even as the her world threatened to literally explode around her, Cleopatra, who lived by the code of "kill or be killed, " made sure she would play her final act with grace and dignity in order to defeat her enemies one last time.
A hit at the 2008 Midtown Inter
National Theatre Festival, winning four MITF Awards, Cleopatra features Melissa Labbadia (as Cleopatra),
Josh Woodie (as Julius Caesar), Mike Longo (as
Marc Antony), Dan Gershaw, Jessica Labbadia,
William Bailey, Lia Sumerano, Jennifer Van Buskirk, Mike Mejia, Michael Labbadia,
Brennyn Langhorn, Xavier Rosario, Paul Araujo, Joseph Lucherini, Audra Hebard, Elizabeth Markow, Lexi Moeller and Johnny Markow. Musical direction is by Cheryl E. Kemeny, choreography by Kari
Ann Sweeney and costume design by Alexandrea Kemeny.
Proceeds from CLEOPATRA - A LIFE UNPARALLELED will benefit Women for Women International, an organization dedicated to "helping women survivors of war rebuild their lives."
Cheryl E. Kemeny (book music and lyrics, musical director) is the author and composer of over 30 musicals including A Spinning Tale (Playhouse 91, NYC, 1990), Ellis Island (
Moss Hart Award Winner, 1996), Living the American Dream (
Moss Hart Honorable Mention, 1998), and The Snow Queen (
Moss Hart Honorable Mention, 2001). She has directed more than 95 separate productions and is the recipient of a playwright fellowship from the CT Commission on the Arts to write Mother Jones & the March of the Mill Children (1997). Founder of the Crystal Opera in 1993, Cheryl is also the co-founder and artistic director of Crystal Theatre, Inc a non-profit 501C-3 performing arts school and theatre presenter.
Barbara Labbadia (Director) has been directing Middle and High-School Drama programs throughout Connecticut for the past 10 years; as well as locally in a number of fundraising Cabaret Theatre events including "Today's Broadway" shows featuring group and individual performances of popular Broadway hits, and "Band Nights" featuring local Bands performing original material. She has directed more than 15 musicals, including
West Side Story (her most recent for the Trinity Catholic Crusader Players), Grease, Aida, Footloose, Funny Girl, Wizard of Oz, and Annie. Barbara is also the Creative Director for L2 Entertainment, Inc.
Founded in 1987, Crystal
Theatre, Inc. is an independent, non-profit performing arts school. Dedicated to the development of children as creative artists, Crystal's mission is to train students in the techniques of musical theater, produce and promote original works and provide performance opportunities for those who might otherwise not have a chance to sing, dance and act on stage. Each year the organization teaches an average of 700 students aged 6 to 21 and has entertained more than 100,000 audience members by producing 15-20 shows annually. Crystal Theatre also has an adult company and presents productions by the Crystal Opera Consortium. Additional information on the company can be found at http://www.crystaltheatre.org/.
L2 Entertainment, Inc. produces, develops and manages artists in the music and theatre industry. L2 is a professional services organization providing artist development and management, concert promotions, event and artist marketing, theatrical productions, as well as music production and publishing. Additional information on the company can be found at www.myspace.com/L2Entertainment.
Billed as an Eco-Friendly Theatre Festival, Planet Connections is constantly searching for scripts that raise social consciousness. Whether the property in question is a comedy, drama, musical or adaptation, Planet Connections' aim is to foster productions that inspire the artists working on them, and their audiences, to be involved in their communities. One of Planet Connections' primary goals is to help talented playwrights, actors, designers and directors find an audience to appreciate their talent. They also endeavor to bring back the fun to mounting a show. When a cast and crew loves what they are doing, and are having fun doing it, then there is a tremendous trickle down effect from the talent to the audience itself. Planet Connections are committed to producing high quality theater. All of their productions are created in the hopes of inspiring cultural education and human understanding.
Running June 13th though June 27th, CLEOPATRA - A LIFE UNPARALLELED will be performed at the
Robert Moss Theater, located at 440 Studios, 440 Lafayette Street, 3rd Floor (between Astor Place and East 4th Street) as part of the Planet Connections Theatre Festivity. Show times are Saturday, June 13th at 11:00am & 4:30pm, Sunday, June 14th at 1pm, Saturday, June 20th at 11:00am & 4:30pm and Sunday, June 27th at 2pm. All tickets are $18.00. Reservations: 212-352-3101, www.planetconnectionsfestivity.com or www.CleopatraMusical.com. Information: www.CrystalTheatre.org or www.myspace.com/L2Entertainment.
