Steven Sater’s Nero musical reaches London amid political parallels

Steven Sater’s musical *Nero*, about the Roman emperor, is receiving its second full professional production in London after two decades of workshops and attempts to attract backing. Sater says the show’s portrayal of Nero as a charismatic showman feels especially relevant amid perceived parallels between ancient Rome and contemporary US politics.

Sater first proposed the musical in 2003, after George W Bush declared the Iraq war won aboard an aircraft carrier. The production stars Andrew Barth Feldman, whom Sater believes makes Nero more relatable; the article also reflects on Sater’s creative partnership with composer Duncan Sheik, who recently died aged 56, and their earlier success with *Spring Awakening*.