What A Tragedy

The Palm Beach Shakespeare Festival knows a thing or two about The Bard. The company has been putting on plays depicting his works since 1990 – and its second show, "Twelfth Night," attracted more than 10,000 people in one weekend. It has since performed everything from "A Midsummer's Night Dream" to "Macbeth."

This season, Shakespeare By The Sea 28 presents Antony & Cleopatra July 12-15 and 19-22 at 8 p.m. at the Seabreeze Amphitheater at Carlin Park in Jupiter. The play, a tragedy without a storybook ending, was performed first circa 1607 at the Blackfriars Theatre.

"A story about a well-spoken Roman hero and a sultry Egyptian queen is transformed into a tale of hubris, manipulation, political maneuvering, imperialism, cruelty and compassion in the hands of William Shakespeare," notes Broadway World. "A special twist in this year's production invites audience members to see Cleopatra as seeking revenge on those who maligned her throughout history."

Director Trent Stephens adds: "'History is written by the victor,' and our understanding of whom Cleopatra was has been so influenced by what the Romans wanted to do to her reputation. They had a disdain for powerful women. The Roman historian Plutarch seemed to look past Queen Cleopatra's nobility, her tutelage, her political exploits, her economic contributions and her motherhood, only to slander her as a trollop – a low blow from which her legacy would never recover." O

For more information, call 561-762-8552 or visit pbshakespeare.org.