"Antony and Cleopatra" comes to Princeton - 6abc Love the Arts

PHILADELPHIA -- Check out this week's edition of 6abc Loves the Arts!

The love story of Marc Antony and Cleopatra has captivated the world for centuries, and now it's coming back to life at the McCarter Theatre in Princeton.

The passionate love affair between the Queen of Egypt and General of Rome is full of intimacy and betrayal. Their love led to war, tore empires apart and changed the history of the world.

"If Romeo and Juliet is first love, this is last love and this love is also highly politicized because it is a love affair between two of the most powerful people on the earth," says Artistic Director Emily Mann.

The production has some star power with movie actress Nicole Ari Parker taking on the role of Cleopatra.

"Nicole Ari Parker is one of the most beautiful women on earth," says Mann, "and also has an exquisite instrument and can go anywhere emotionally and can make a man lose his mind."

Of her role, Parker says, "This character is pushing me to the limit; she's relentless. Shakespeare has written a tireless woman."

Parker and Mann worked together once before on a Broadway production in 2012.

Parker says "Emily's direction is just raising the whole play to another level; the stakes are higher."

And in her 25th season as Artistic Director at the McCarter, Mann says she is thrilled to have brought such a cast together for one of Shakespeare's greatest love stories.

"I wanted people to have the experience of the intimacy of the production....you get the heat, you get the passion and you get the rage and you get all of it right in your lap."

The play has a month long run starting September 5th.

For tickets and show times go to www.McCarter.org.