Sphinx Winx: Satirical spin on Ancient Egypt

By Scott Harrah

In The Sphinx Winx, a musical-comedy misinterpretation of Ancient Egypt, the story of Cleopatra, Julius Caesar and Marc Antony is skewered for laughs. Anyone expecting an accurate depiction of the Queen of the Nile and her minions might be disappointed, but this ambitious little show definitely delivers the comic goods. It lampoons not only history but everything from Britney Spears to Wikipedia, with a few silly, cartoonish nods to such modern media sensations as Sarah Palin and Nancy Grace.

The show originated in 1952, where it was written and performed by students at Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. Its script was then reportedly locked in a vault for more than five decades until librettist Bob Keuch found it in 2006 and worked with the original authors to condense the three-hour show into 90 minutes. An Equity Showcase was presented in 2008, followed by two staged readings until its current incarnation as an Off-Broadway musical on Theatre Row.

The Sphinx Winx is primarily a satirical caricature of the classic tale of the kingdom of Egypt in deep debt to the Roman Empire due to Caesar (Bruce Sabath) and his carefree spending on Cleopatra (Erika Amato). When Marc Antony (Bret Shuford) arrives in Egypt to investigate, things do not exactly go as planned, especially after the court’s Soothsayer (Ryan Williams) falsely predicts that Antony will fall for Cleopatra.

The chemistry between Mr. Shuford as Marc Antony, and Rebecca Riker as his true love, Crecia, is especially noteworthy. Their voices harmonize beautifully in such songs as “Must Be Falling in Love” and “One of These Days.”

Ms. Amato, as Cleopatra, shows off her impressive vocals, particularly in the song “Queen of Today.”

Director Matthew Hamel needs to rein in some of the over-the-top performances here, but in a musical comedy this intentionally giddy, it almost does not matter. The show still has the homespun feel of a showcase, but there is enough genuine talent in the cast to make The Sphinx Winx worth a look.

Published May 18, 2011
Reviewed at press preview performance on May 15, 2011

Leslie Bramm · May 13, 2011

Tifft Productions LLC gives us this delightful new musical. Set in Egypt, it tells the story of an undersexed and overly vain Cleopatra, and her husband Julius Caesar, Rome’s emissary to the Nile region. Seems that JC has failed to pay up and Rome suspects him of stealing from the public coffer to fund his romance with his hard-to-please Queen. He commits some corporate malfeasance, and lavishes his Queen with expensive gifts and promises. To solve this problem, Rome sends Marc Anthony to either collect the money or bring JC to trial. What ensues is a comical story of star-crossed lovers, jealousy, greed, and a winking Sphinx. One of the most charming qualities about The Sphinx Winx is its referencing of popular culture. Not a chance is missed to lampoon and make “pun” of political figures and even other contemporary American musicals.

The book and lyrics are written by Philip Capice, Anne Hitchner, Kenneth Hitchner, Jr., and Robert Keuch. In this case all these cooks did not spoil the mix, as both are clever and laugh out loud funny.

The music is by Kenneth Hitchner, Jr. and W. Hamlin Neely. Good catchy tunes and lots of them. My favorite song was the hopeful “I Sail for Home,” featuring a beautiful two-part harmony between Marc Anthony and his comrade Marius.

All the actors have good voices. The songs are meant to be sung campy, and each singer milks their exaggerations.

Matthew Hamel’s direction is what you need for a fast paced musical. The set has multiple entrances and exits. Hamel paces it like farce and it works.

Set design by Robert Andrew Kovach is terrific. Part comic book, with vibrant colors, it is also changeable with spinning pillars and a secret entrance. The large Sphinx façade can’t help but make you smile. Gail Baldoni must have worked very hard to create the period costumes and it shows. She has a great sense of detail.

The cast all play multiple roles save for Erika Amato’s Cleopatra. As the queen Amato is serpentine and seductive. As Crecia, Rebecca Riker is a good romantic heroine, but it’s her Sarah Palin in the court room scenes that almost steals the show. Bruce Sabath’s Julius Caesar is a schticky character and Sabath is good in this little nod to vaudeville. Bret Shuford’s Marc Anthony is dutiful and starry-eyed with his love for Crecia. Shuford’s pleasant tenor voice and wit make him an enjoyable leading man. Lunia is the slighted daughter of Caesar. Beth Cheryl Tarnow plays her with a combination of obnoxiousness and silliness, and is very funny. Ryan Williams as the Soothsayer and play’s narrator is agile and animated. His mobile face allows him to play the fool, the slime ball, and the soldier. He does all unabashed.

I had had a crappy day the night I saw this play and for those fast-paced 90 minutes The Sphinx Winx took my mind off everything.