Directed by JENNIFER TOBER
Politics meets passion in the timeless story of Cleopatra & Antony, Pittsburgh Shakespeare in the Parks’ 19th season outdoor production during 11 performances over five weekends, September 2-October 1, 2023. There is no charge for admission, but donations are essential in support of PSiP’s year-round work.
Founding Artistic Director Jennifer Tober takes a twist on Shakespeare’s classic examining and highlighting the strength and passion of the female characters—putting Cleopatra first. Tober stages PSiP’s first production of the history play in four different City of Pittsburgh parks and outdoors at The Frick Pittsburgh. The season extends through October 4 with an outdoor showcase of Shakespeare selections by PSiP actors at The Frick Pittsburgh on the Clayton Mansion grounds.
It’s the dawn of the Roman Empire. Ploys for power and domination run parallel with the passion of Egypt’s Queen Cleopatra and Rome’s Mark Antony. Allegiances and loyalties blur as a fiery romance ignites. The rarely-performed tale of comes alive in a fierce, all-female production with music, dance, and soul-lifting fun. Celebrating Cleopatra, one of Shakespeare’s most complex female characters, and her tragic grandeur.
In The Media
Watch PSiP Artists visiting with PTL – Pittsburgh Today Live, CBS Pittsburgh – KDKA TV.
REVIEW: OnStagePittsburgh.com
“Feminist swag is often emblazoned with reminders that the future is female. Director Jennifer Tober doesn’t limit that to the future.
“The past and present are female, too, thanks to Tober’s all-female production of Shakespeare’s Antony & Cleopatra, which she has cleverly adapted into the far more logical Cleopatra & Antony. Cleopatra is the royal, after all, and one of Shakespeare’s most complex female characters, so she should get top billing…
Callee Miles is brilliant.”
– Dr. TIFFANY RAYMOND, PhD, On Stage Pittsburgh
Jennifer Tober interview on TribWeb online!
READ MORE!
Take a listen to a terrific conversation about CLEOPATRA & ANTONY. This adaptation by director Jennifer Tober is a story told by an all-female cast. Jennifer is joined on the air by the pair who play the title characters–Callee Miles as Cleopatra and Harper York as Mark Atony. Anna Singer welcomed them at the Classical WQED FM 89.3 studio.
Read our show’s program! Check out our show’s poster! (PDFs)
Check out our audience education guide and our graphic synopsis, great for all ages.
Performances set for September 2 through October 1
Five weekends of outdoor Shakespeare
Saturdays and Sundays at 2 pm
Sat. & Sun. Sept 2 and 3 at 2 pm, Frick Park (enter at Beechwood and Nicholson, 3 minute walk straight down the path)
Sat. & Sun. Sept 9 and 10 at 2 pm, Highland Park (by Super Playground)
Sat. & Sun. Sept 16 and 17 at 2 pm, Westinghouse Park (by Thomas Blvd near the building)
Fri. Sept 22 at 6 pm, Schenley Plaza in Oakland
Sat. & Sun. Sept. 23 and 24 at 2 pm, The Frick Pittsburgh, outdoors on the lawn
Sat. & Sun. Sept 30 and Oct 1 at 2 pm, Frick Park (enter at Beechwood and Nicholson, 3 minute walk straight down the path)
Admission is free with donation suggested.
Meet The Cast
A cast of nine portrays more than two dozen roles in Cleopatra & Antony.
Callee Miles, in her PSiP debut, portrays Egypt’s Queen Cleopatra. Miles also plays Octavia, sister to Octavius Caesar whom Antony marries for political reasons during the course of the play despite his ongoing relationship with Cleopatra.
Harper York appears as Rome’s Mark Antony, a role York portrayed in PSiP’s all-female Julius Caesar in 2019. York is also cast as the Clown.
Actors will appear in a variety of other varied roles.
Returning PSiP actor Catherine Baird portrays Charmian, Lepidus, Menecrates, and Schoolmaster. Joanna Getting returns to the company as Enobarbus and Proculeius.
Cast members are:
Rachel Pfennigwerth as Octavius Caesar, Soothsayer, and Mardian.
Kalee George as Pompey and Alexas
Abigael Siecinski as Eros, Philo, and more
Carissa Wonder as Menas, Taurus, Messengers (all)
Nikole Newberry as Iras, Agrippa, Scarus and more
Music Director – Matt Calvetti
Props and Set Designer – Sam Kuchta
Costumer – Ricky Lyle
Stage Manager – Lauren Scheller-Wolf
From The Stage Director
“We are excited to keep expanding our diversity footprint and our mission of excellent, free Shakespeare for all in our 19th season with this innovative all-female version of Cleopatra & Antony,” says Jennifer Tober, who directs her fourth production for PSiP.
“Because we are committed to giving roles to women and female-identifying performers, we highlight the character of Cleopatra, one of the most fascinating and complicated characters in all of Shakespeare’s plays as well as in history,” says Tober. “Thus, the title change from Anthony and Cleopatra to Cleopatra & Antony.”
Tober stresses: “It is vital at this time in history, when arts censorship is on the rise and the rights of women, people of color and LBGTQ folks are being eradicated, that we tell Shakespeare’s stories in relevant and innovative ways that speak to all people.
“And, of course, get ready for our big musical numbers as we bring the Bard’s words to life. We are psyched to add the Frick Museum Clayton House lawn to our season this year – September 23 and 24 – and are honored to be back in the beautiful city parks of Frick Park, Highland Park, Westinghouse in Homewood, and Oakland’s Schenley Plaza.”