Much Ado about Nothing

Much Ado about Nothing

  • February 20 - November 1, 2015
  • By William Shakespeare | Directed by Lileana Blain-Cruz
Overview
Artists
Video
Reviews
Run Time:Two hours and 45 minutes, including one intermission.

Don't believe everything you hear

Love’s in the air when Don Pedro’s army, drunk with victory from the war, descends upon Leonato’s country estate in Messina. Traveling with him is Claudio, who wants to marry Leonato’s daughter Hero. Meanwhile, Claudio’s friend Benedick and Leonato’s lively niece Beatrice hide their mutual attraction behind a volley of witty insults. But their world is shattered when Claudio, influenced by a scheming malcontent, levels a shocking accusation at Hero. A linguistically challenged guard and his sidekicks uncover the plot, casting a beam of hopefulness in this tempestuous landscape of love.

This production of Much Ado About Nothing is part of Shakespeare in American Communities, a national program of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest.

Theatrical haze and strobe lights are used in this production.




Much Ado about Nothing - Mucho ruido y pocas nueces


Duración: Dos horas con 45 minutos, incluyendo un intermedio.

No crea todo lo que oye


El amor está en el aire cuando el ejército de don Pedro, borracho de su victoria en la guerra, desciende a la hacienda de Leonato en Messina. Viajando con él está Claudio, que quiere casarse con la hija de Leonato, Hero. Mientras tanto, Benedick, el amigo de Claudio, y Beatrice, la animada sobrina de Leonato, esconden su atracción mutua detrás de un torrente de insultos ingeniosos. Pero se les estalla el mundo cuando Claudio, llevado por un malcontento intrigante, le dirige una acusación escandalosa a Hero. Un guardia con problemas lingüísticos y sus compañeros descubren la conspiración, prestando un rayo de esperanza a este paisaje tempestuoso del amor.

Esta producción de Much Ado About Nothing (Mucho ruido y pocas nueces) es parte de Shakespeare in American Communities (Shakespeare en las Comunidades Americanas) un programa de National Endowment for the Arts (Fundación Nacional para las Artes) en asociación con Arts Midwest (Artes del Medio Oeste).

En esta producción se emplean la neblina teatral y luces estroboscópicas.

Creative Team

Director
Lileana Blain-Cruz
Scenic Designer
Scott Bradley
Costume Designer
Kara Harmon
Lighting Designer
Yi Zhao
Composer/Sound Designer
Chad Raines
Dramaturg
Lydia G. Garcia
Voice & Text Director
Susan Sweeney

Cast

Beatrice
Christiana Clark*
Benedick
Danforth Comins*
Leonato
Jack Willis*
Don Pedro
Cristofer Jean*
Hero
Leah Anderson*
Claudio
Carlo Albán*
Don John
Regan Linton*
Borachio
Barret O'Brien*
Conrade/Ensemble
Armando McClain*
Margaret/Ensemble
Allison Buck
Ursula/Ensemble
Robin Waisanen
Dogberry/Ensemble
Rex Young*
Friar/Ensemble
Tyrone Wilson*
Verges
Eileen DeSandre*
Seacole/Ensemble
Lucas Lee Caldwell
Oatcake/Ensemble
Cesar Perez Rosas
* Member of Actors' Equity Association (AEA)
**AEA Professional Theatre Intern
  • Much Ado image

    Trailer: Much Ado about Nothing

    Enjoy a taste of this winning production.

  • Much Ado about Nothing - Director's Notes

    Director Notes: A Contemporary Love Story

    Director Lileana Blain-Cruz talks about what draws her to the play and early thoughts about the production.

  • Blain-Cruz image

    Stage Notes

    Director Lileana Blain-Cruz shares insights from rehearsals. Excerpted from the Informed Volunteer Program

  • Set change image

    Snapshot: Two-Minute Set Changeover

    Stagehand Specialist Joshua Heuertz explains the amazing process of the set change at OSF. Watch the change from 'Guys and Dolls' to 'Much Ado about Nothing' in two minutes!

  • rose drop image

    Snapshot: How to Make a Rose Drop Suspension System

    James F. Dean, automation supervisor, describes how they created an automation system to rep the rose drops.

  • props artisan image

    Snapshot: The 'Much Ado' Chairs

    Properties Artisan Seren Helday talks about creating the chairs that take center stage in 'Much Ado.'

  • Props Artisan image

    Snapshot: Chandeliers in the Making

    Properties Artisan Diane Green explains how they created the five large chandeliers for this production.

  • Floral Drop

    Snapshot: Creating a Floral Drop

    Tasia Simon, master carpenter, walks us through the process of creating a beautiful, long-lasting floral drop.

  • Oregonian logo

    "...OSF's piercing production."

    "It's a rare play in which comedy and tragedy cleave the action so neatly in two." Click the logo to read the complete review.

  • Jville Review logo

    "Hats off to Ms. Blain-Cruz..."

    "...a hands-down winning triumph."
    Click the logo to read the complete review.

  • Daily Tidings logo

    "...sparkling comedy..."

    Director Blain-Cruz keeps delicate balance of comedy over false accusation and feigned death.Click logo to read the complete review.

  • Sacramento Bee logo

    "...beautifully conceived..."

    "Exceptional performances are turned in by the leads..."
    To read the complete review, click the logo.

  • Times Standard logo

    'Much Ado' is definitely about something (delightful)

    "...a real charmer, and a show that all ages will love."
    Click the logo to read the complete review.