Being Cleopatra: Natasha Grimm

Photo: Ballet Nebraska

Natasha Grimm being Cleopatra in Cleopatra with Ballet Nebraska Program at the Joslyn Art Museum in Omaha, Nebraska on March 30, 2012

Showcasing a variety of dance styles like ballet, swing, jazz, and pointe, Ballet Nebraska presents Momentum, a collection of seven short dance works. Dancers will tell the story of Cleopatra, the last ruler of classical Egypt. This piece, choreographed by Erika Overturff the artistic director of Ballet Nebraska, is inspired by To Live Forever: Egyptian Treasures, a traveling exhibit currently on display at the Joslyn Art Museum.

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Being Cleopatra: Lauren Anderson

Ballerina Lauren Anderson being Cleopatra in Cleopatra, a ballet choreographed for her by Ben Stevenson at Houston Ballet in 2000

Being Cleopatra: Cléo de Mérode

Cléopatra Diane de Mérode was born in Paris, France. At the age of eight Cléo was sent to study dance and made her professional debut at age eleven. She grew into a beautiful young woman, noted for her tiny waist which was accentuated by tightlacing which was popular with women at the time.

Cléo de Mérode became renowned for her glamour even more than for her dancing skills and her image began appearing on such things as postcards and playing cards. A particular new hairdo she choose to wear became the talk of Parisian women and was quickly adopted as a popular style for all. Her fame was such that Alexandre Falguière sculpted The Dancer in her image, which today can be seen in the Musée d'Orsay. In 1895, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec did her portrait, as would Charles Puyo, Alfredo Muller and Giovanni Boldini. Seen here, is her picture taken by one of the most illustrious photographers of the day, Félix Nadar.

In 1896, King Léopold II attended the ballet and saw Mérode dance. It is said that the 61-year-old Belgian King became enamoured with the 22-year-old ballet star and gossip started that she was his latest mistress. Because the King had had two children with a woman reputed to be a prostitute, Cléo de Mérode's reputation suffered and she had to live with it for the rest of her life. Nevertheless, Cléo de Mérode became an international star, performing across Europe and in the United States. At the peak of her popularity, she chose to dance at the Folies Bergère, taking the risk to do something other elites of the ballet had never done before. Her performance gained her a whole new following.

Very popular in her ancestral homeland of Austria as well as in Germany, her character appeared in the 1926 German motion picture, Frauen der Leidenschaft, played by Fern Andra. In Vienna her beauty caught the attention of painter Gustav Klimt whose primary focus was on female sexuality. Their story is retold in a film released in 2006 titled Klimt, in which the character "Lea de Castro" is based on Cléo de Mérode.

Mérode continued to dance until her early fifties when she retired to the seaside resort of Biarritz in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques département of France. In 1955 she published her autobiography Le Ballet de ma vie.

Cléo de Mérode died in 1966 and was interred in the Père Lachaise Cemetery in Paris.

-Wikipedia

Being Cleopatra: Johanna Sapakie

Photo: Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times Johanna Sapakie as Cleopatra in 'Cleopatra CEO'

Photo: Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times Marissa Labog, Ja Young Kim & Willy Souly in 'Cleopatra, CEO'

Dancer Johanna Sapakie being Cleopatra in Heidi Duckler Dance Theatre's production of Cleopatra, CEO performances on the 51st floor penthouse suite of 515 S. Flower St. in Los Angeles, CA in the February of 2012.

Cleopatra dance show opens in Los Angeles, CA

Photo Marissa Labog, left, and Zsolt Banki use a reception desk as a rowboat during Heidi Duckler Dance Theatre's rehearsal of "Cleopatra, CEO." (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

One year after Mubarek was overthrown, the legendary Egyptian leader Cleopatra will take over downtown Los Angeles. From Cesar the Stuntman to the Cirque du Soleil-inspired Cleopatra, Heidi Duckler Dance Theatre will create magic in and around the former corporate space with the Los Angeles skyline as the backdrop.

Cleopatra, CEO promises to be an "over the top" feast of dance, music, and theatre, for the distinguished Cleopatra has returned to reign from Southern California! As athletic dancers create magic in and around the former corporate space, the audience will experience a dance performance unique to downtown.

Th show references everything from ancient Egypt to the 1980s TV show Dynasty. The narrative-driven work features 11 scenes, 13 dancers, a flautist and even an opera singer. The show works with the 1970s architectural interior by making it symbolize male executive wealth and power.

WHAT: Cleopatra, CEO a dance show by Heidi Duckler Dance Theatre
WHEN: February 9-25, 2012 at 8pm (except Thursday performances begin at 7pm)
WHERE: The 51st floor of the Paul Hastings Tower at 515 South Flower Street in Los Angeles, CA

TICKETS: General $40 & Students $10

Click here to buy tickets!

Being Cleopatra: Nancy Dell'Olio

Nancy Dell'Olio being Cleopatra as she dances for Strictly Come Dancing Live UK Tour with her dance partner Artem Chigvintsev. The tour started at the National Indoor Arena in Birmingham on January 20, 2012.

Click here to buy tickets for Strictly Come Dancing Live UK Tour

The Making of 'Cleopatra,' the Ballet

A short documentary on the making of the new ballet, Cleopatra, at Northern Ballet

Music: Claude-Michel Schönberg

Choreography: David Nixon OBE

Design: David Nixon & Christopher Giles

Projections: Nina Dunn

Cleopatra: Martha Leebolt

Caesar: Javier Torres

Click here to find out more about Cleopatra at Northern Ballet

Being Cleopatra: Sarah Skinner

Sarah Skinner being Cleopatra in the bellydance, Cleopatra Suite, which was also choreographed by Sarah Skinner and performed at the World Dance New York.