WQED Cultural Calendar

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 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.

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

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. A cast of nine portrays more than two dozen roles in Cleopatra & Antony.

There is no charge for admission, but donations are essential in support of PSiP’s year-round work. Picnics, children, and dogs are welcome!

Callee Miles, in her PSiP debut, portrays Egypt’s Queen Cleopatra. Miles also plays Octavia, sister to Octavius Caesar.
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 actors:
Catherine Baird as Charmian, Lepidus, Menecrates, and Schoolmaster.
Joanna Getting as Enobarbus and Proculeius.
Kalee George as Pompey and Alexas

Cast members include:
Rachel Pfennigwerth as Octavius Caesar, Soothsayer, and Mardian.
Abigael Siecinski as Eros, Philo, and more
Carissa Wonder as Menas, Taurus, Messengers (all)

Nikole Newberry as Iras, Agrippa, Scarus, and more

CLEOPATRA & ANTONY performance dates

Sat. & Sun. Sept 2 and 3 at 2 pm, Frick Park
Sat. & Sun. Sept 9 and 10 at 2 pm, Highland Park

Britsburgh Festival performance is on Sept. 10.
Sat. & Sun. Sept 16 and 17 at 2 pm, Westinghouse Park
Fri. Sept 22 at 6 pm, Schenley Plaza, Oakland
Sat. & Sun. Sept. 23 and 24 at 2 pm, Frick North Lawn at Clayton House, Point Breeze
Sat. & Sun. Sept 30 and Oct 1 at 2 pm, Frick Park

PSiP is a partner of Britsburgh, building bridges across communities by driving growth in British-American culture, history, education, tradition, and trade in Pittsburgh. PSiP’s opening weekend is again part of this annual regional festival of all things British including a talkback to be announced.

Pittsburgh Shakespeare in the Parks is the region’s longest-running outdoor classical theater. PSiP was founded in 2005 by Artistic Director Jennifer Tober to offer free outdoor Shakespeare.
For more info and updates, visit https://pittsburghshakespeare.com/

Follow Pittsburgh Shakespeare in the Parks online on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and the company website at pittsburghshakespeare.org.