GO! Contemporary Dance Works brings ancient Egyptian culture
to life with the premiere of its newest contemporary ballet, CLEOPATRA, the Last Pharaoh, on Saturday, February 25 and Sunday, February 26, 2023 at the Bijou Theatre. Deviating from Hollywood’s traditional portrayal of Cleopatra, GO! will explore the mysteries of this young woman and her political battles for dominance over the Ptolemaic Throne. Intertwining Egyptian rituals, mysticism and traditions, Cleopatra is a powerful spectacle with a documentary style storyline based on the rivalry between Cleopatra VII, her half-sister Arsinoe IV and her younger brother, Ptolemy XIII.

“The story of Cleopatra is fascinating,” states Lisa Hall McKee, director.
“There is much information about her, but there is also much mystery. I did not want GO! to do the expected and tell her traditional story, so I dug around and discovered the other dangerous Ptolemaic Dynasty girl, Arsinoe. Truth or legend? We don’t know, but this a fascinating story and makes a very intriguing and educational narrative ballet!”

Written and directed by McKee, this large scale, two-act inventive ballet travels between the ancient civilizations of Rome and Egypt and features 75 dancers including professionals, pre-professionals and a youth cast. Julie E. Cox will dance the role of the cunning and beautiful Cleopatra and Jeanene Winston will dance the opposing role of the tormented younger sister, Arsinoe. Winston is a former principal dancer for a Graham based modern dance company, Buglisi Dance Theatre.

“As we are primarily a youth company,” McKee says, “we are being very careful how we present this provocative and dangerous story. It has moments of intensity, beauty and danger but we are mindful of our youth in the cast and the audience. It is an elaborate ballet about clashing empires, is very historical and is appropriate for all ages.” As part of their outreach, GO! will offer free Ancient Egypt educational packets to young audience members at the performances