Troubadour Theater Company presents the World Premiere of Duran DurAntony & Cleopatra. Musical Direction by Ryan Whyman. Directed and Adapted by Matt Walker.

Matt Walker rewrites the love story of Mark Antony and Cleopatra, adding the music of Duran Duran to energize the characters and the plot. Based on Shakespeare’s Antony and Cleopatra, this slapstick musical is a fine example of a theatrical form known as commedia dell’arte.

The action on stage is reminiscent of The Carol Burnett Show sketches, with actors occasionally breaking character due to funny dialogue or even hecklers pitching in. And it’s exactly that, audience participation, one of the main attractions of the show.

Antony (Matt Walker) falls in love with Cleopatra (Cloie Wyatt Taylor), but for political convenience, Antony ends up marrying Octavius Caesar’s (Rick Batalla) sister, the sultry Octavia (Philip McNiven). From there, misunderstandings, rage, and killer songs become the norm. The dialogue is peppered with sexual innuendos, adding a mischievous element to match the action on stage. The music, the dances, and the physical comedy make it a highly kinetic play to keep things engaging and entertaining. Walker, Batalla, and Beth Kennedy lead the comedy, delivering an outstanding performance.

The background graphics and the special effects contribute  creativity and comedy to the production. There’s ocean breeze, waves, a shooting where bullets don’t make it to the other side, snake bites (not real), and self-inflicted wounds (not real either). The costumes and live music also capture the exceptional effort of the production to put together a mesmerizing spectacle that combines a classical story and the timeless music of one the most influential rock bands of recent history.

In Duran DurAntony & Cleopatra, tragedy becomes an excuse to unleash mayhem, leaving behind a trail of fun, comedy, and music in an exciting and festive environment.

Duran DurAntony & Cleopatra

Musical Direction by Ryan Whyman. Directed and adapted by Matt Walker.

Cast: Beth Kennedy, Rick Batalla, Mike Sulprizio, Rob Nagle, Cloie Wyatt Taylor, John Paul Batista, Katie Kitani, Mark McCracken, Philip McNiven, Suzanne Jolie, and adaptor/director Matt Walker. Troubadorchestra: Kevin Stevens on drums, Ryan Whyman on piano/MD, Carlos Rivera on bass, and Mike Abraham on guitar.

Creative team: Lighting Design by Bo Tindell; Sound Design by Robert Arturo Ramirez; Projection Design is by Rick Batalla; Costumer: Suzanne Narbonne (Using designs by Sharon McGunigle); Wig Design is by Suzanne Jolie Narbonne. The Music Supervisor is Eric Heinly. The Production Stage Manager is Corey Womack.