For immediate release Guido Goetz Keith Sherman and Associates (212) 764-7900
The 2005 International Fringe Festival LIGHTS! CAMERA! LOVE...presents THE LAST DAYS OF CLEOPATRA WORLD PREMIERE OF NEW MUSICAL ABOUT LIZ, DICK AND THE BIGGEST FLOP IN CINEMA HISTORY

THE LAST DAYS OF CLEOPATRA - a new musical by Charlie Barnett about the infamous love affair between Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton on the set of the 60's film fiasco - will receive its world premiere at this year's New York Fringe Festival. THE LAST DAYS OF CLEOPATRA runs August 23rd at 3pm, August 25th at 5:45pm, August 26th at 11:30pm, August 27th at 9:30pm and August 28th at 1:45pm at The Players Theatre (115 MacDougal Street, between West 3rd St and Bleeker St).

Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton - legendary names of stage, screen and scandal sheets...

Twentieth Century Fox's "Cleopatra" - the most expensive film of its time:

With Elizabeth Taylor in the starring role, the studio was happy to attract publicity regarding her hairstyles, jewels, acting and temper. It was not so happy when the publicity turned to gossip about her adulterous affair with co-star Richard Burton. The stuff that scripts are made of - as Liz and Dick curse and caress their way into history...

THE LAST DAYS OF CLEOPATRA is directed by Christopher Gerken, with book, music, lyrics and Musical Direction by Charlie Barnett, and choreography by Evan Knapp. The costumes are designed Joanne Haas, set design by Drew Dedrick, and lighting and sound design by Dan Martin.

The cast includes: Anna Roberts (Elizabeth Taylor), Michael Deleget (Richard Burton), Cara Kem (Sybil Burton), Tom Beckett (Joseph Mankiewicz), E.C. Kelly (Irving Greenberg), Bobby Matoney (Eddie Fisher), Brett Rigby (Fred. E Smith), Valerie Issembert (Bianca), Christopher LaCroix (Rex Harrison), Alan Ostroff (Vinny), Michael Baldwin (Hermes Pan), Michael Siller (Guiseppe), Robin Levine (Ensemble), Anna Lombardi (Ensemble) and Michael Frishman (Ensemble).

Production company Lights! Camera! Love... is the creation of auteur Charlie Barnett and producer Laurie Levy Issembert. THE LAST DAYS OF CLEOPATRA is its first theatrical project. Charlie Barnett has a long distinguished career as a composer of feature and documentary films, while Laurie Levy Issembert, a producer from the educational and television documentary world as well, has been producing musical theatre for the last seven years in the Washington DC area. Director Christopher Gerken has been involved in over 40 productions of musical theatre as an actor and director.

Tickets for THE LAST DAYS OF CLEOPATRA are $15. THE LAST DAYS OF CLEOPATRA runs August 23rd at 3pm, August 25th at 5:45pm, August 26th at 11:30pm, August 27th at 9:30pm and August 28th at 1:45pm at The Players Theatre (115 MacDougal Street - West side of MacDougal, just south of West 3rd Street). Tickets can be purchased by calling (212) 279-4488 or outside New York 1-888-FringeNYC. For more information, please visit: www.FringeNYC.org.