The Genesius Guild theater in Rock Island will present four performances of Shakespeare’s tragedy Antony & Cleopatra, opening this weekend. Show dates are July 12, 13, 19, and 20, with performances starting at 7 p.m. at Lincoln Park’s Don Wooten stage, 1120 40^th St., Rock Island. Admission for the show is free.

Antony & Cleopatra is the sequel to last year’s Genesius Guild production of Julius Caesar. The show tells the story of Mark Antony (portrayed by Justin Raver) — a supporter of Julius Caesar and one of the leaders of Rome following Caesar’s assassination — and his ill-fated romance with the Egyptian Cleopatra (Irene Herzig). This romance distracts Antony from his duties to Rome, creating tension with the other Roman leadership, particularly with the show’s main protagonist Octavius Caesar (Joe Sager), according to a Genesius release.

The play is perhaps best known for the character of Cleopatra, who is written as one of Shakespeare’s most complex characters. She carries herself with imposing grandeur, frequently gives in to moments of incredible vanity, and at the same time is a charismatic, powerful leader, the release says.

Genesius Guild is a community theatre specializing in free classical drama. Founded in 1956, the group performs Greek drama, Greek comedy, the works of Shakespeare, and other classical authors for eight weekends each summer. For more information about the Guild, visit www.genesius.org.

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Jonathan Turner

Jonathan Turner -- who has called the Quad Cities home since 1995 -- has decades of experience as a professional journalist and pianist. His experience writing for daily newspapers, public radio and local TV encompasses a wide range of subjects, including the arts, politics, education, economic development, historic preservation, business, and tourism.

Jonathan most loves writing about music and the arts (which he now does as a freelancer for the River Cities Reader and Visit Quad Cities). He has a passion for accompanying musicals, singers, choirs and instrumentalists, including playing for QC Music Guild's 2023 productions of RENT and SWEENEY TODD. He is assistant music director and accompanist for the spring 2025 Music Guild show, ESCAPE TO MARGARITAVILLE. He wrote an original musical based on The Book of Job, which premiered at Playcrafters in 2010. Jonathan penned a 175-page history book about downtown Davenport, that was published by The History Press in 2016, and a travel guide about the QC published by Reedy Press in 2022.