Interludes

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Gingold Theatrical Group’s effervescent revival of Shaw’s CAESAR AND CLEOPATRA sparkles

• By drediman
• September 26, 2019
• No Comments

Teresa Avia Lim and Robert Cuccioli in Gingold Theatrical Group’s revival of “Caesar and Cleopatra” George Bernard Shaw at Theatre Row. Photo by Carol Rosegg.

This week, Gingold Theatrical Group’s Off-Broadway revival of George Bernard Shaw’s Caesar and Cleopatra opened at Theatre Row. Set in Egypt, the rarely-performed play tells the story of the fictitious meeting between a very young Cleopatra and the much older (middle-aged) Julius Caesar. Over the course of the play, the famous Roman emperor mentors the naïve Egyptian queen about leadership and affairs of state, thereby transforming a spirited girl into a formidable woman and queen.

In many ways, Caesar and Cleopatra is a prototype of Shaw’s classic, more popular Pygmalion, which would probably explain why the former is relatively infrequently performed (in fact, the folks at Gingold Theatrical Group allege that there hasn’t been a major New York revival in more than 40 years!). However, I would argue that the statistics are unfair. In my opinion, both plays are equals in terms of quality; it’s also  not completely accurate to directly compare the two works, as they are notably different beasts. Whereas Pygmalion is a carefully-wrought dramatic updating of the Greek myth, Caesar and Cleopatra is very much free-wheeling, giddily satiric historical fiction. There’s also less decorum in the relationship between Caesar and Cleopatra than between Higgins and Eliza, which makes for a potentially more lighthearted affair.

There’s plenty to commend about this production. I thought the central conceit of Gingold’s previous Shaw revival (i.e., Heartbreak House as a play within a play during the Blitz) was a bit distancing and forced. As envisioned by director Staller, this effervescent staging of Caesar and Cleopatra shrewdly and smartly sets the play in an Egyptian excavation site, and it works beautifully with the play’s setting and to highlight Shaw’s text as an artifact of the past. As for the cast, they’re a sparkling bunch, as led by Tony nominee Robert Cuccioli and Teresa Avia Lim as the titular monarchs. Also, as Cleopatra’s lady in waiting, Broadway veteran Brenda Braxton is simply divine; her performance is the true heart of the revival. As buoyantly directed by Mr. Staller, the inspired cast distinguishes this production from the pile of often-dull Shaw revivals.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

CAESAR AND CLEOPATRA
Off-Broadway, Play
Gingold Theatrical Group / Theatre Row
2 hours (without an intermission)
Through October 12