“Antony and Cleopatra: Infinite Lives” at the New York International Fringe Festival at the Lynn Redgrave Theater
“Antony and Cleopatra: Infinite Lives” at the New York International Fringe Festival at the Lynn Redgrave Theater Written by J. Michael DeAngelis and Pete Barry with Original Text by William Shakespeare Music by Rebecca Kotcher Directed by John Dowgin Reviewed by Joseph Verlezza Theatre Reviews Limited
“Antony and Cleopatra: Infinite Lives” is a new work that attempts to parallel many contemporary issues we face politically and socially utilizing a Shakespearean text and the current uprising and violent unrest in the Egyptian government. Change takes time and perhaps time changes nothing seems to be the irony. Mistrust, religion and denial continue to destroy relationships. Greed, power and control still conflict with the need for democracy. Ideals and indulgences are mistaken as truths and necessities. Finally everyone still ponders that it can be better and their individual inspiration and beliefs are the paths to achievement. Ultimately this all results in downfall and destruction.
This production exemplifies this by cleverly intermingling a present day production of “Antony and Cleopatra” by a renegade avant-garde director in the Egyptian room of a museum as a fundraiser with concerns about the status of the revolution in modern day Egypt. The director’s fiancée happens to be an Egyptian expatriate escaping social repression and has a nationalist brother whom she never speaks to and has corrupt fundraising ideas for his own performance: he, of course, shows up for a surprise visit at the museum. Actually you can see where this is going and that is only one of the problems. The production is belabored, clocking in at over two hours. The Shakespearean scenes drag on after the point has been established and the deliveries are uneven. The actors fare a bit better when returning to present day. Exceptions that stand out among the cast are Dustin Karrat (Gamal El-Kahir) and Brandon Smalls (Octavius/Barry).
The production needs more polish and the script revisited in order to make a more powerful statement. For now it is a whimper when it needs to shout about this important issue. At best the show should run ninety minutes without an intermission. The effort is appreciated in hopes that the process will continue to produce a better product with a stronger structure.
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA: INFINITE LIVES
“Antony and Cleopatra: Infinite Lives” is presented by The New York International Fringe Festival and The Porch Room at The Lynn Redgrave Theater, 45 Bleecker Street (at Lafayette Street). Rebecca Kotcher is the Composer. Justin Bolding is the Company Representative.
The cast includes Samantha Apfel, Thom Boyer, Kelsey Bramson, Catherine Cela, Tara Cioletti, Nick Imperato, Dustin Karrat, Chelsea Lando, David Mazzuchi, Devin Plantamura, Nazli Sarpkaya, Jackie Sherman, Brandon Smalls, Kyle Smith, and Thanh Ta. The creative team includes Stage Crew: Jacob Carlson; Lighting Design: Elyse Halloran; Lighting Design: Ed Pearson; Costume Design: Olivia Rutigliano; and Stage Manager: Jessica Murray.
All performances of “Antony and Cleopatra: Infinite Lives” take place at on the following schedule: Friday August 16th at 9:30 p.m.; Saturday August 18th at 4:45; and Sunday August 25th at Noon. Tickets are $18.00 at the door and $15.00 for advance purchase. The running time is 2 hours. For more information about the show visit www.porchroom.com For more information about the 17th Annual New York Fringe Festival visit www.FringeNYC.org.
Permalink | Posted by David Roberts on Tuesday, August 13, 2013
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