Cleopatra (Chelsea Music Hall)

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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 Like loud music that drowns out dialogue.

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

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 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 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 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'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 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 pop and EDM. You enjoy immersive theater. You have fun partying. You love Beyonce, and Hamilton, but have no money for either.

Don't see it if Pop, EDM and synchronized choreography are things you don't like. You don't like the night club, party vibe, or interacting with performers.

Also My friend and I were super impressed with this production. It's a musical, it's a concert, it's a party, it's everything that you would love for a night out in the city! The music was ON FIRE, the cast was amazing at singing, dancing, acting, and full of energy, the stage design and lighting were amazing, and some of the costumes looked like they came straight from a runway. Unless you absolutely hate going out to the club, EDM and pop make your head spin, and you have no respect for Beyonce (shame on you!), you are gonna have fun with this. The performers are gonna dance in front of you, around you, and even with you. You're gonna see the story unfold 3 feet away from you, you're gonna have serious eye contacts with the cast, and giggle your way and dance through the night. The plot could be a little more complex, but for an interactive 80-minute production, Cleopatra has surpassed my expectations and easily become one of my favorite Off-Broadway experiences. GO SEE IT!!!... Read more Read less

See it if if you love expertly written and delivered POP/hip-hop music, and love the idea of theater immersed in a dance-club environment.

Don't see it if you are not into loud and flashing-light environments, or do not like standing in concert venues.

Also My wife and I entered this with ZERO expectations, and were blown away by the talent of the singers, especially Cleopatra who is played by a woman who Beyonce should absolutely FEAR. The male lead also had an amazing voice. But these components are just part of the complete package this offers: energetic dance, fun humor and lots of charisma served up by a sassy drag queen, and expertly composed (and arranged/recorded) pop music. I can honestly say I did not want that night to end -- so immersed was I in the lights and sound.... Read more Read less

See it if You want to get out to the club, but can't find the time. It'd you want to see something fresh.

Don't see it if It's only standing and the show moves around.

See it if you love brilliantly-sung pop music and loud beats and bright lights and an energetic dance-club vibe

Don't see it if you need or want to SIT, or you don't like LOUD environments, or you don't like drag or burlesque.

See it if you'd enjoy a new theatrical experience @ a LOUD sexy/erotic energetic party w/dancers (& fellow audience members) groovin' around you.

Don't see it if you wouldn't enjoy any of the above, while standing/dancing alongside buzzed strangers, for 90min. It's cruise-shipy, but a lot more fun.

Also Be very clear: this is a dance-party @ a club...

...where most of the crowd is standing, drinking, & carrying on, NOT intently watching a show while seated all prim & proper.

Do your homework. It very loosely follows the Cleo / Mark Antony / Octavian story of the Battle of Actium. You capture bits & pieces of the story here & there during some of the raps, & @ times whenever sung lyrics are audible over the LOUD music. What it lacks in a cohesive script, it more than makes up for in the great vocals, jammin' music, & excellent ensemble dancing.

Nya ("Cleo") is amazing, especially when she's allowed to wail towards the end.

While the venue made the experience a ton of fun, I'd like to see it in a small traditional theater. The show is missing out on a regular theater-going audience that would never go to a club to see a show.

In reference to bad sight-lines, the ticket-takers clearly alert you when you enter: stay in the center of the dance-floor. If you didn't listen, it's on YOU.... Read more Read less

See it if you like clubs and club music, minimal plot with more emphasis on music, and minimal set design.

Don't see it if you want to be able to see everything from your seat, as the actors constantly move around the space.

See it if a sexy, close-up nightclubby theatrical show happening all around you. Worth for just the committed, hot bodied dancers, within feet of you

Don't see it if a night-club hip-hoppy song-based musical might not appear to you; but go anyway for the interresting experience and the nice venue.

See it if You like colorful shows with lots of dancing, in and around the audience. You don't mind standing. You love costuming and musicals.

Don't see it if You don't like standing for any length of time. You don't like: musicals, dancing, strong female characters, or historical retellings.