Cleopatra (Chelsea Music Hall)

See it if You want a club experience, if you want to see some energetic dance moves and some really sexy costumes.

Don't see it if You’re not prepared to stand for more than an hour and a half in a crowded, loud, jostling mob of young people talking and rcding w/phones.

Also This was bad. The sound was bad. The lighting was bad. The principles sang well but the rest were just bad, off key, bad rappers some what I would call screaching rather than singing. The songs were painfully simple. The whole thing was obviously style over substance so that ran out very quickly. The dancing was fun but my back hurt so bad from standing in the crowd for almost two hours that there was no way I could enjoy it.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to try something different, and want to hear some great songs with talented singers. If you like song and dance shows.

Don't see it if you can't stand for over 1 hour. You really need to be up close and to watch the dancers.

Also This show was not as immersive as I thought it would be. I wouldn't bother getting a seat, since you really need to get there early and stand to see the whole show up close and personal. The layout makes it hard for shorter people to see. I am 6'2 and still standing in the back I still missed a lot.... Read more Read less

See it if you enjoy clubbin and drag shows

Don't see it if you are looking for a straightforward musical or can't stnad for long periods of time

See it if you want the best fusion of a musical, a concert, and a drag show that I've ever seen. I'm going again ASAP.

Don't see it if you're looking for a standard staging/show, or can't handle loud music.

See it if You enjoy modern retellings of classic works; this is an electro-pop version of Shakespeare's Anthony and Cleopatra.

Don't see it if You are nervous about immersive performance (dancers are IN the crowd, you become a dancer too) and are bored by hairography as choreography

Also Do not volunteer to be pulled onto stage if you do not want a surprise lap dance.... Read more Read less

See it if If you like sensual lyrics,dancing and behavior.It was definitely for adults only.From the start of this to the end,it was sexually explicit

Don't see it if If you are a prude.It has quite a bit of sexuality to the dancing and singing.

See it if you're big into nightclubs & the party scene. You care more about entertainment than theater. You're a big Dusty Ray Bottoms fan.

Don't see it if you're expecting traditional theater, real acting, or a plot that holds together. You're ok standing 90 min (or almost 2 hrs - starts late).

Also While parts of this show are great, they do not cohere into a whole. It's very clear which performers are singers vs. dancers, which is fine, but they aren't always coordinated well together.

Cast members do not stay in character while they're not "on" (for instance, Cleopatra & Marc Antony go off to the side to be alone & only make a half-hearted attempt to seem like they're into each other then).

I did appreciate that they cast a very multi-racial group of performers though.... Read more Read less

See it if Like loud music that drowns out dialogue.

Don't see it if You like to understand dialogue.

See it if you enjoy a handful of catchy pop songs/EDM in a fun (and younger) atmosphere - sung with an excellent an vocal from MYA.

Don't see it if you need a show with strong direction. focus needed.

Also Lead actress can sing. Okay actress.
Costumes - busted H&M meets gold lamé...

Lead actress has amazing vocals. Leads are vocalists over actors. Ensemble dancers over vocalists. Points to the team for casting various sizes, shapes and ethnicity.... Read more Read less

See it if You like immersive theater and modern looks on historical figures. This is a dance show with modern music and no censors

Don't see it if You don't like standing the whole time, raunchy themes, or drag Queens

See it if You want to be entertained by performers who dance and sing their butts off, in a cat walk club style show. You enjoy drag, and you are fun

Don't see it if You want a serious, linear musical. You can't stand young and old screaming at the outrageous acts. You don't like Hamilton style show.

See it if You are into the musical form. OK show but could have done without the audience participation bits. History tells us it doesn't end well!

Don't see it if You don't like musicals or expect great acting from the lead. Some of the cast / ensemble are pretty good though.

See it if You like interactive pieces, especially if you like to DANCE! The actors perform the hell out of the piece and Nya, the lead is dope!

Don't see it if You like to only see theater from a seat, or you can't take people moving all around you and maybe touching you. The lyrics are not the best

See it if You want to hear some truly great Top 40 quality singers, and some fantastic dancers and great club light design.

Don't see it if You long for a clear storyline and a clear narrative and fleshed out characters.

Also If I could give this show multiple scores I would give it 100 for the vocal talent. The title role of Cleopatra played by NYA is a vocal powerhouse, sadly that is where it ends, she was virtually not in character everytime the focus was not on her. Now to that effect that was the issue with the wonderful vocals of Christian Brailsford as Marc Antony, all surface but no urgency or follow through. Which was the main issue with this show, it simply needs to focus the story more. It was hard to care or get invested with any of the characters in the show because of the seeming lack of any focus on the acting. The dancers were fantastic and choreography was great. Also, the original EDM score by Jeff Daye is filled with hook after hook. The lyrics are very pop but it worked. The Standout for me was Sydney Parra as Iris, who was performing with an urgency and clarity of character one might have seen in "Great Comet". It is a fun show, even with its shortcomings.... Read more Read less

See it if you enjoy a musical story of cleopatra with choregraphed dancing.

Don't see it if you feel uncomfortable watching a drag queen as MC to a musical & dance show. You don’t have an open mind to a new experience.

See it if Think you know Cleopatra and Mark Anthony

Don't see it if You have to stand most of the show

See it if You're into the idea of a club/bar turned musical/drag show venue with extreme belting, insane dancing, and audience participation.

Don't see it if Highly sexual situations are uncomfortable for you, you don't like standing in crowds, you prefer a more traditional theatre setting.

Also I had no idea what to expect - but I had SUCH a good time.

See it if You like shows that ignore traditional show structure, incredible music, fabulous dancing, and celebrations of queerness.

Don't see it if You prefer traditional musicals. You aren’t comfortable with black and queer excellence.

See it if you're looking for a low-budget, random, unique night out filled with free alcoholic shots and audience interaction.

Don't see it if you like personal space and want a professional-feel.

See it if You want to see a nontraditional musical that’s bursting with life. You’re ready to be astounded by this talented (and sexy) cast!

Don't see it if You would rather see a classic Broadway show. Skimpy costumes offend you.

Also I loved the decision to set the last night before the fall of Cleopatra in a nightclub. It’s a fun ride from the first song! You will not believe the vocals of the actress who plays Cleopatra. All of her songs are still stuck in my head.

I’m already planning on seeing it again, which really is the best possible recommendation! Go and enjoy.... Read more Read less

See it if Don't see it. Save your time and money

Don't see it if If you expect a good show. Aside from the two leads having great voices , everything else was terrible.

See it if You enjoyed the groundbreaking creativity and genre melding of Hamilton and want to see it extended to other music genres.

Don't see it if You only like old school by the book musicals and don’t like to see shows that break the mold

See it if you like great music and singing, a known story and a relaxed immersive atmosphere.

Don't see it if you don't want to stand up for 80 min, don't like drag queens, nor club-style choreography.

Also The music was surprisingly exceptional and professional. This could play on the radio. And so were the voices.
Acting was very uneven. Ms. Bottoms definitely commands the stage in a powerful but very natural way.
This is about having fun and not taking it very seriously. And in that it succeeds.
A brief synopsis printed out or even just on the website would have helped put more of the lyrics (not 100% intelligible) into context. Everyone knows how it ends so it's not like it would give the end away.... Read more Read less

See it if You enjoy immersive & non-conventional staging. A fun night out. Great pop music & vocals! Dusty Ray Bottoms steals & elevates the show.

Don't see it if You aren't up for standing for 80minutes. Although they do have some chairs, but they don't offer the best views.

See it if u want to be a part of a spirited ancient Egyptian victory dance party, hosted by Queen of the Nile & emceed by queen of drag Dusty Bottoms

Don't see it if u don't like the music of Beyonce (channeled remarkably by the hugely talented Nya), Rihanna or Skrillex. [The original music is great!]

Also A few tips:
1. Know the basics of the Cleopatra-Marc Antony-Octavian story, as the plot can get muddled in all the theatrics.
2. I don't think it is worth paying extra for the "premium seating" area, unless you really need a chair. The seats are actually not in the best area for optimal viewing & feel removed from much of the action.
3. Eat before you go. The food menu is very limited, and the food is overpriced and in small portions.
4. Choose the evening shows over the Sunday brunch show. This is definitely designed for night-time viewing, as it recreates a high-energy nightclub atmosphere.... Read more Read less