Short North Stage Presents the Hilarious CLEOPATRA by Charles Busch

By: Jul. 25, 2017
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Ohio's very own Short North Stage will be hosting yet another Charles Busch play "Cleopatra" July 27th - August 6th at the Garden Theater. The Columbus Immersive Theatre has produced other tear-jerking comedies by the 'campy playwright' in previous years, which proved to be fan favorites of the theatrical season:"Psycho Beach Party", "Die Mommy Die", and "The Divine Sister" Short North Stage Artistic Director Edward Carignan is excited to be working on another Charles Busch comedy. "I love directing Charles Busch plays because I really love old movies and camp comedy, this will mark my third and favorite yet. Our Columbus audiences love his plays, and we are so thrilled to bring a new one to this eager fan base."

"Charles Busch's Cleopatra" was first produced by the Theatre for the New City in New York City in March of 2016. The Huffington Post said the production was"...always smartly campy, often over-the-top, occasionally very raunchy, and always hilarious - with an infinite all-you-can-eat buffet of priceless lines and situations running throughout."

Nick Hardin as Cleopatra, Doug Joseph as Julius Caesar, and Kate Lingnofski as Octavian.

Columbus Immersive Theater is proud to produce this hilarious production running July 27th- August 6th as a benefit for Short North Stage. Busch evokes both 1930's Hollywood epics and the grand 19th Century romantic theatre of Sarah Bernhardt in his typically raunchy but hilarious style. Opening with her teenage seduction of the Roman leader Julius Caesar and continuing through her volatile tragic romance with Mark Antony and to her ultimate death, Busch's Cleopatra has echoes of the many great stars that have played her on stage and on film, such as Claudette Colbert, Elizabeth Taylor, Vivien Leigh and several who thankfully didn't, including Jean Harlow, Barbara Stanwyck and Mae West.

Director Edward Carignan claims the iconic story of Cleopatra is perfectly satirized by Busch. "The Cleopatra films are ripe for parody and this ensemble cast has brought me to tears laughing in rehearsal. I really cannot wait for people to see this!"

Starring Nick Hardin as Cleopatra, Rob Philpott as Mark Antony and Doug Joseph as Caesar. Also featuring Ricky Locci as Apollodorus, Nick Lingnofski as the Soothsayer, Kate Lingnofski as Octavian, Laura Falb as Iris and Kelsey Hopkins as Charmion.

The production is directed by Edward Carignan, assisted by Christopher Castanho. Tickets are $25 with general seating. The show runs approximately an hour and a half with a fifteen-minute intermission.

Click HERE to get tickets.

With Performances: Friday, July 28 8:00pm, Saturday, July 29 3:00pm & 8:00pm, Sunday, July 30 3:00pm. Friday, August 4 8:00pm, Saturday, August 5 3:00pm & 8:00pm, and Sunday, August 6 3:00pm



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