La MaMa is set to stage a 50th anniversary production of Conquest of the Universe or When Queens Collide, Charles Ludlam’s 1967 piece that marked the birth of The Ridiculous Theatrical Company. The revival is directed by and will star Everett Quinton, who assumed leadership of RTC after Ludlam’s death in 1987.
Inspired by Christopher Marlowe’s epic war play Tamburlaine, Conquest of the Universe or When Queens Collide is a futuristic tale of conflict across the universe. The show will run November 2–19 with an opening scheduled for November 6.
“Tamburlaine, President of Earth, proceeds from planet to planet, capturing and enslaving Bajazeth and Zabina-King and Queen of Mars-Venus, and Natolia, Queen of Saturn, among others,” read production notes. “Cosroe-a Martian prince and twin brother of Zabina-leads the rebel forces against Tamberlaine in Ludlam's mind-bending experimental classic, his theater of ‘sexual, imperialistic war.’”
Joining Quinton will be Géraldine Dulex, Beth Dodye Bass, Grant Neale, Jeanne Lauren Smith, John Gutierrez, Lenys Samá, Sommer Carbuccia, Shane Baker, Brian Belovitch, and Eugene the Poogene.
Performances will take place in La MaMa’s Ellen Stewart Theatre at La Mama, located at 66 East 4th Street, New York. For tickets and more information visit LaMaMa.org or call OvationTix at (212) 352-3101.
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