From the pampered luxury of Persia's royal harem to a life or death encounter with the world's most powerful man.

It's incredible that Shakespeare didn't write a play about Esther, the characters are so vivid. Then again, he didn't need to as the story is already told so well.

Esther, the beautiful queen, ensconced in the harem.
Mordecai, who directs the action from the palace gates.
Haman the scheming villain who has the king's ear.
Xerxes, the king who is duped into sanctioning a holocaust.

But when the action reaches a crescendo, it is Esther alone who must undo first Haman, and next his murderous vendetta against her people.

All Mordecai can do is pray that his young cousin has what it takes to rescue them.