Adult Film star and Penthouse Pet Justine Joli portrays Caesonia in Alfred Preisser and Randy Weiner's CALIGULA MAXIMUS. © Lia Chang
Presented by LaMaMa e.t.c., Alfred Preisser and Randy Weiner’s CALIGULA MAXIMUS is a project with Hammerstein & Weiner, LLC, Christopher McElroen, Alfred Preisser and Kingsize, USA which begins previews at the Ellen Stewart Theatre, 66 E. 4th St. in New York on March 12, 2010. Opening night is set for March 19th and the show will continue through April 3rd. Performances are Thursday and Friday at 8pm, Saturday at 8pm and 10pm.
The very sexy cast of CALIGULA MAXIMUS © Lia Chang
Directed by Alfred Preisser, CALIGULA MAXIMUS features musical direction by Joe Shavel. The show stars Ryan Knowles (Caligula), JerZ Short (Helicon), Justine Joli (Caesonia), Luqman Brown (Sulla), and Anya Sapozhnikova (Drusilla).
Tim Dax © Lia Chang
Competitive bodybuilders Myra Adams, Tim Dax, Roxanne Edwards and Raheem Green are featured as gladiatrixes and gladiators, along with Jeff Goldfisher, David King, Jessica Krueger, Andrews Landsman, Aaron Strand and Miriam Tabb. Rounding out the cast in assorted roles are Alexandra Bernard, Angela Buccinni, Claire Buckingham, Eric Dorfman, Alicia Giangrisostomi, Channing McKindra, Ella Mische, Alexandra Petrova, Charletta Rozell, Alicia St. Louis, Tricia Storie, Jenny Weinbloom and Elian Zach.
Director Alfred Preisser rehearsing with the cast of CALIGULA MAXIMUS © Lia Chang
CALIGULA MAXIMUS takes place on the last night of the notorious dictator’s life, in his palace where he is stage managing, directing, and starring in one of his famous “entertainments” which test the limits of human intellect and appetite. Caligula, played by Ryan Knowles, sensing the encroachment of monotheistic religions (Christianity and Judaism) holds a phantasmagoric revival meeting in which he attempts to save the world by ushering in a new religion with himself as its principle prophet and god.
JerZ Short (center) as Helicon and company in CALIGULA MAXIMUS © Lia Chang
Preisser’s vision for Caligula’s “senate” includes an outrageous collection of circus performers, wrestlers, animals, show girls and freaks that enact his spectacles and indulge his whims and fantasies. As the revival meeting reaches fever pitch, his troupe grows weary of being used as toys, gains a sense of their own power and, bedecked in the war paint and leather costumes of barbarian invaders, descend upon him and murder him in mob frenzy. Six different languages will occur throughout the production in song and at the Coliseum. Expect circus, music, dance, rhetoric, and the unexpected.
(l-r) Jeff Goldfisher, Luqman Brown and David King © Lia Chang
With sets, rigging and lighting by Evan Coilier, costumes by Laura Clarke and musical direction by Joe Shavel.
La MaMa e.t.c. is located at 66 East 4th St. between 2nd Avenue and The Bowery. Performances are Thursday and Friday at 8pm, Saturday at 8pm and 10pm.
Tickets are $30, $25 for students and seniors and can be purchased online at https://www.ovationtix.com/trs/pr/715425 or by calling the box office at 1-866-811-4111
Click here for the CALIGULA MAXIMUS Articles Archive.
Lia Chang