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Cleopatra

  • Theater, Interactive
  • 3 out of 5 stars
  • Recommended
Christian Brailsford, Nya, and Dusty Ray Bottoms in Cleopatra
Photograph: Courtesy Jenny Anderson
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Time Out says

3 out of 5 stars

Theater review by Raven Snook 

Tackling the saga of ancient Egypt's most famous female ruler is no easy task for even the most confident of divas: Ask Elizabeth Taylor. But powerhouse vocalist Nya makes a stunning nightlife queen in Cleopatra, which strips the character down to her protofeminist essencenot to mention a gold sequin thong. Billed as an immersive pop-musical experience, the show is less a full-fledged tuner than a glorified club concert, as Cleo and her glitter-encrusted court, wearing flashy yet functional costumes by Nicolas Putvinski, celebrate the defeat of the Romans by her boo Mark Antony (Christian Brailsford). Trouble is, her man hasn't quite been forthcoming about what happened on the battlefield. 

Cleopatra unabashedly values hedonism over history, and it doesn't even touch on the best parts of its heroine's story. Instead, inebriated audiences—the bar is open throughout—are invited to party like it's Nineteen-Ninety-Nile as quiptastic RuPaul's Drag Race favorite Dusty Ray Bottoms emcees sexy interactive games, Nya belts like Beyoncé, and a sweaty multicultural chorus performs director-choreographer JT Horenstein's athletic moves just inches from your face. 

Cleopatra has original songs (with catchy beats by Jeff Daye but pretty lame lyrics by Daye and Laura Kleinbaum) and a political message about the dangers of carefree carousing as civilization falls. Subtle it's not: Roman Emperor Octavian (a gleefully smarmy Corbin Payne) hands out business cards that say "Make Rome Great Again." Don't go expecting Rodgers and Hammerstein—but by the same token, don't go to The King and I to shake your booty, do shots and take selfies. As dance-laugh-and-drink-the-night-away theatrical attractions go, Cleopatra is campy fun. Your heart won't get touched, but there's a pretty good chance your body will be. 

Chelsea Music Hall at Chelsea Market (Off Broadway). Music by Jeff Daye. Lyrics by Daye and Laura Kleinbaum. Book by Kleinbaum. Directed by JT Horenstein. With ensemble cast. Running time: 1hr 20min. No intermission.

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Written by
Raven Snook

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Price:
$59–$99
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