You, Nero, a co-production with South Coast Repertory —where the work was commissioned and received its world premiere in January — will again be directed by Sharon Ott. The Berkeley engagement will officially open May 20 and conclude June 28. Danny Scheie reprises his role as Nero, with McCarthy (Urinetown, Side Show, Pirate Queen) replacing John Vickery in the role of Scribonius.

Rounding out the cast are Charles Dean (Burrus), Richard Doyle (Seneca), Lori Larsen (Agrippina), Kasey Mahaffy (Fabiolo), Susannah Schulman (Poppaea) with Donnie Hill, Maggie Mason and Sarah Moser.

Press notes for You, Nero read: "Not only does Nero fiddle while Rome burns, he fills the Colosseum with a flammable mix of sex and decadence. The egotistical emperor commands a washed-up scribe to create an extravaganza that flatters his regime. But to stage the script he must survive the real spectacle at the palace, where his mother, his mistress, and an entourage of eunuchs play an elaborate game of deceit and seduction."

The creative team includes Erik Flatmo (set design), Paloma H. Young (costume design), Peter Maradudin (lighting design), Stephen LeGrand (sound design) and Eric Drew Feldman (sound design).

For tickets or more information, call (510) 647-2949 or toll-free at (888)-4-BRT-TIX or visit berkeleyrep.org.