July 24th–August 28th
Thursdays-Sundays at 7:00pm
IN THEMIDST OF POLITICAL MANEUVERING AND AGAINST ALL ODDS, ROMAN GENERAL ANTONY HAS FINALLY MET HIS MATCH AND FOUND TRUE LOVE IN THE FIERY EGYPTIAN QUEEN, CLEOPATRA. MEANWHILE, OCTAVIUS, IN ORDER TO SECURE HIS RULE, MUST BRING ANTONY TO HEEL OR DESTROY HIM. WHEN POWER AND POLITICS COLLIDE, LOVE COMES AT A PRICE. SET AGAINST THIS BACKGROUND OF CONTENDING FORCES, SHAKESPEARE GIVES US ONE OF HISTORY’S MOST INDELIBLE LOVE STORIES AND POSES THE QUESTION, “HOW FAR WOULD YOU GO FOR LOVE?”
Antony & Cleopatra
WRITTEN BY WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE
DIRECTED BY LARRY BARROTT
RATING: T FOR TEEN
Rather than ruling the Eastern Roman Empire, Mark Antony has been dallying in Egypt with Cleopatra. The death of his wife and the threat of war by Pompey bring him back to Rome. As a goodwill gesture, he marries Octavia, Caesar’s sister, but this only delays the inevitable.
Caesar and Antony begin to clash with their armies. Octavia tries to repair the damage, but Antony seizes the opportunity of her absence to return to Cleopatra. Octavius, now enraged at the dishonor of his sister, plans an attack. Cleopatra convinces Antony to do battle at sea, where he has the advantage, rather than on land.
During the naval battle, Cleopatra flees, Antony follows her, and the battle becomes a Roman victory. Caesar rejects any offer of peace and attempts to split Antony and Cleopatra. He tells Cleopatra that she will remain Queen of Egypt if she kills Antony. She refuses and the armies meet on land, ending in victory for Antony.
The two armies fight the next day and another Egyptian retreat secures the victory for Caesar. Antony accuses Cleopatra of treachery and threatens her. To save herself, she flees to her tomb and sends word that she has killed herself. In anguish, Antony falls on his sword and asks to be taken to Cleopatra. Before he dies, they profess their love one last time. Caesar promises mercy to Cleopatra, but she knows that he intends to parade her as a war captive, and uses a poisonous asp to end her own life. The lovers are buried together by Caesar as a final act of kindness
CAST
Shawn Andrei…Agrippa
Nicholas Boucher… Mardian
Joel Butler… Diomedes / Canidius / Thyreus
Alex Draa… Octavius
Keenan Flagg… Eros/Scenic Construction
Sarah Galarneau… Octavia
Sarah Sinizer-Hopkins… Attendant
Syeda Huq… Attendant
Drew Benjamin Jones… Alexas
Richard Lewis… Lepidus
James Lucas… Pompey / Dolabella
Megan Mayekawa… Attendant
Roberta J. Morris… Soothsayer / Villager
Akemi Okamura… Charmian
Valerie Peterson… Iras
Matthew Regan… Proculeius / Scarus
John Rutski… Antony
Andrew Simchik… Enobarus
Ella Tarczy… Attendant / Euphronius
Stephanie Whigham… Cleopatra
CREATIVE TEAM
Amber Bucher… Hair and Makeup Assistant
Anna Chase… Costumer
Louis Stone-Collonge… Scenic Construction/ Technical Internship Supervisor
Lisa De Leeuw… Production Manager
Will Galloway… Assistant Stage Manager
Ron Gasparinetti… Scenic Designer
Kendall Goodin… Light Board Operator
Jackson Hoek… Intern – Scenic Build
Kyle Hoffhines… Sound Designer
Nick Kumamoto… Lighting Designer
Scott Ludwig… Assistant Director
Doll Piccotto… Dramaturg / Wardrobe
Shelby Speer… Stage Manager
Christina Sturken… Prop Designer
Jarku Virtanen… Master Electrician
Melissa Weinstein… Hair and Makeup Designer
About Antony & Cleopatra
How much are tickets?Tickets range in price from $15.00 to $20.00, including all ticketing and service costs – no hidden fees! Tickets will be available online and at the park.
How long is the performance?Antony & Cleopatra runs… (coming soon)
Antony and Cleopatra – T for Teen
This production will explore the depth of romantic attraction between this iconic couple and contain elements of personal violence which may give some parents pause. Additionally, some of the costuming may be considered provocative. Parents who are curious about the content of this play can read a version that’s very similar to our script here.
About the Family Rating System
Silicon Valley Shakespeare endeavors to make theatrical classics enjoyable and accessible to as wide an audience as possible. Families love to attend our plays, and we’re proud to have introduced thousands of young people to the Bard. In order to assist parents and guardians in assessing which of our plays may be right for their children, we offer a Parental Advisory that features a general rating followed by a more nuanced recommendation and description of the content. Since our assessment can’t possibly fit every family, we also offer a link to the actual text of our plays whenever possible so that parents can make their own decision. Our ratings are:
E for Everyone – Self explanatory.
PG for Parental Guidance – This play is appropriate for most audiences under 13, but we recommend that parents inform themselves as to the content of the play and its themes and exercise their best judgment for their individual child.
T for Teen – This production may be inappropriate for audiences under 13. Parents of younger children are welcome to attend with their children, but we recommend that they prepare for any questions their children may have about some of the more sophisticated and mature content and themes of the play and its particular presentation.
M for Mature – This play is not recommended for audiences under 17.
A note about very young children: Infants and toddlers are always welcome at all outdoor plays, and we’re thrilled to be able to offer newer parents an opportunity to enjoy live theatre. We so ask that at least one parent or guardian of these tiny theatergoers be prepared to take a break with them outside the immediate theatre space if they become upset or very vocal.