Produced by: Crystal Theatre, Inc. and L2 Entertainment, Inc.
Book, Music and Lyrics by: Cheryl E. Kemeny
Directed by: Barbara Labbadia
Music Direction by: Cheryl E. Kemeny
Choreography by: Kari Ann Sweeney
Lighting Design by: Jessica Burgess
Stage Management by: Debra Poruban
Cheryl E. Kemeny’s Cleopatra –A Life Unparalleled chronicles her life and times through music ranging from blues to rock to ballad. In a time of “kill or be killed,”
Cleopatra competed for dominance in a man’s world and used what she had (money, looks and charm) to get what she wanted!
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 International 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, Dave Vogel, 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.
Proceeds from CLEOPATRA - A LIFE UNPARALLELED will benefit Women for Women International, an organization dedicated to "helping women survivors of war rebuild their lives."
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,
* Saturday, June 13th at 4:30pm,
* Sunday, June 14th at 1pm,
* Saturday, June 20th at 11:00am,
* Saturday, June 20th at 4:30pm,
* Saturday, June 27th at 2pm.
Information: www.CrystalTheatre.org or www.myspace.com/L2Entertainment.
10 Nominations and winner of 4 awards at the 2008 MITF....
Reviews from 2008 MITF:
"Musical soap operas don't come much sudsier than Cleopatra - A Life Unparalleled. It is among the most ambitious shows ever to hit the Midtown International Theatre Festival: 12 heavy-voiced actors, countless racks of elaborate costumes, a three-piece band, and a scope that threatens to dwarf the very Nile itself." – TalkinBroadway.com (Matthew Murray) – Aug. 1, 2008
Cleopatra - A Life Unparalleled is a "promising offering.
Kemeny takes on the triple challenge of writing a musical, and in many instances, she succeeds admirably, particularly in her lyrics which are carefully and often cleverly constructed." – AmericanTheatreWeb.info (Andy Propst) – Jul. 30, 2008
"Cleopatra is of course one of the best known female figures of major power in history. The idea is a good one and the compositions show promise. The music is an interesting blend of pop, blues-rock, Latin, and reggae rhythms, with thick harmonies, and very infectious at times."
– NYTheatre.com (Judith Jarosz) - Jul 16, 2008
"The score is energetic and allows for some powerful voices to shine."
– oobr.com (Michael D. Jackson) – Aug. 3, 2008
Returning MITF Cast members include Melissa Labbadia as Cleopatra (nominated for Outstanding Lead Actress), Jessica Labbadia as Charmian, Jennifer Van Buskirk as Fulvia (nominated for Outstanding Supporting Actress), and Dave Vogel as Auletes.
Melissa Labbadia as Cleopatra in “Cleopatra – A Life Unparalleled”
* Nominated for Outstanding Lead Actress in the 2008 Midtown International Theatre Festival (MITF) in NYC.
Here are some of the reviews she received:
“As the adult Cleopatra, the attractive Melissa Labbadia vocally maneuvers the pop rock style with relish, and acts well throughout.”
– NYTheatre.com (Judith Jarosz) - Jul 16, 2008
“Labbadia, is a marvel, if for no other reason than her resilience. As Cleopatra, she hardly ever leaves the stage. The actress navigates every nuance with grace and charm well befitting the Queen of the Nile, and makes a statuesque center.”
– TalkinBroadway.com (Matthew Murray) – Aug. 1, 2008
“when Melissa Labbadia, playing the title role, is center stage: her gait and presence are truly regal and exotic”
– AmericanTheatreWeb.info (Andy Propst) – Jul. 30, 2008
"As the Queen, Melissa Labbadia is visually ideal and her singing is quite lovely."
– oobr.com (Michael D. Jackson) – Aug. 3, 2008
Jennifer Van Buskirk as Fulvia in “Cleopatra – A Life Unparalleled” was Nominated for Outstanding Supporting Actress in the 2008 Midtown International Theatre Festival (MITF) in NYC.
Reviews also mentioned her:
A fair number of cast members are good - particularly Jennifer Van Buskirk as Marc Antony's scheming wife.
– AmericanTheatreWeb.info (Andy Propst) – Jul. 30, 2008
Cleopatra (Melissa Labbadia) and Julius Caesar (Josh Woodie) singing a song from the show - "Who's It Gonna Be" at a Cleopatra Benefit Cabaret Concert on May 22nd, 2009
Cleopatra (Melissa Labbadia) and Marc Antony (Mike Longo) singing a song from the show - "Can this be Love?" at rehearsals in May and June 2009.
Cleopatra - A Life Unparalleled's Friend Space (Top 8)
We're in Concert at "The Bitter End" in NYC tomorrow night: Wednesday, December 30th @7:30pm, along with Bobby Amaru, RAS (from LA), and Sean Austin! .....We hope to see you there!
We're in Concert at "Arlene's Grocery" in NYC on Wednesday, September 9th @8:30pm. Come out to see the show and get your copy of our new full-length CD "Beautiful" which is only being sold at our live shows! We hope to see you there!
We're in Concert at "The Bitter End" in NYC this Thursday, July 30th @8pm. Come out to see the show and get your copy of our new full-length CD "Beautiful" which is only being sold at our live shows! We hope to see you there!
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