Season Select: Much Ado About Nothing

MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING

By William Shakespeare
Directed by Robert Ramirez

Playing: Hill Theatre | June 14 - September 29
Featuring: Jessica Ko, Marcus Truschinski, Tim Gittings, Rasell Holt, Sam Luis Massaro, Samantha Newcomb, Greta Oglesby, Lester Purry, Ronald Román-Meléndez, James Ridge and Triney Sandoval
Genre: Shakespeare Comedy
Last Seen at APT: 2014
Go If You Liked: The Merry Wives of Windsor (2023), Love's Labour's Lost (2022), Pride and Prejudice (2015)

About Much Ado About Nothing

For Beatrice and Benedict, wit is a full-contact sport, and each is happy to throw some elbows. But wethinks they doth protest too much. It seems love is a force they believe they’re above, even as their friends see through their comedic camouflage to what hides in their hearts. Sometimes a stubborn soul just needs that proverbial kick in the pantaloons to get out of their own way. Fun and funny, with the warmth and depth of a sultry Mediterranean sunset, offering a central couple that set the standard for rom‑coms – a perfect fit for a summer evening. Running June 14 - September 29.

Much Ado About Nothing seemingly appeared out of nowhere when you look at the timeline of Shakespeare’s plays. First performed in late 1598, Much Ado found itself stuffed between two serious history plays – Henry IV Part II and Henry V. In fact, Much Ado came after a period of pretty serious works, both histories and tragedies, from 1595’s Romeo and Juliet onward. Perhaps in the middle of all these battles and family feuds, Shakespeare decided to trade in the harsh English winters for something a little more Mediterranean in climate and tone. Enter Much Ado.

Many scholars believe Much Ado may have its origins in Shakespeare’s early 1595 work, Love’s Labour’s Lost, especially when considering the similarities between the witty and wisecracking duos of Rosaline and Berowne and Beatrice and Benedick. Plus, there’s the argument that the sequel to Love’s Labour’s Lost, sensibly titled Love’s Labour’s Won, was at one time in the works, only to be semi-scrapped for pieces, resulting in the “from the vault,” Much Ado.

Regardless of how it came to be, we can all agree that we’re very glad Much Ado exists. Even in Shakespeare’s day the play was a success from all accounts. When published in the Quarto I in 1600, the title page points out that the play has been “sundrie [several] times publikely acted,” which means that, for hundreds of years, we have had a soft spot for this screwball romantic comedy. It seems we note it quite a bit.

And one final note on Nothing. It’s long been thought that the title’s reference to “Nothing” might carry with it several meanings, some of which might be considered a bit more X-rated. What many historians do agree on, however, is that the Elizabethan “nothing” could have been pronounced as “noting,” a reference to how much the characters in the play observe and spy on one-another. Much Ado is a show that invites the audience – even 426 years later – to give in to a little bit of gossip and a tad bit of mischief and maybe, just maybe, fall in love in the process.

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR BRENDA DEVITA SAYS:

“Beatrice and Benedick, of all of Shakespeare’s couples, may be the most fun to watch. Every interaction between them is so sharp, and smart, and so, so funny. But you can just feel the longing behind those barbs, and see that vulnerability in those quick-witted exchanges. And it’s indicative of how, no matter how clever we think we are, we can hold back pieces of ourselves. And that can be pretty lonely if you don’t find a way to let people in. As joyful as this play is, it carries some darkness, and some pieces that make you ask yourself, is that really forgivable? And it can be, because that joy, and the growth these characters undergo, allows them to get to know each other, and get to know themselves, in a way that makes room for forgiveness. And the characters really watch out for each other. And that’s really beautiful. And hilarious. All that serious stuff aside, it’s a very funny play, with very funny characters from top to bottom. Don’t get me started on Dogberry and the watch. It’s the stuff of legend. And Robert Ramirez, who directed that gorgeous production of The River Bride in the Touchstone a few years back, just has this vision of a Mediterranean sunset. It’s got some Mamma Mia vibes. And Jessica Ko, who is a brilliant actor, and this will be her first year at APT will play Beatrice. Opposite Marcus Truschinski, who is going to be a brilliant Benedick. It’s going to be a lot of fun.”