Much Ado About Nothing

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MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING

Photo: Joan Marcus

Cititour.com Review
One of Shakespeare’s most performed plays, “Much Ado About Nothing” often lives up to its title, coming off as an antique version of a contemporary rom-com film: enjoyable but instantly forgettable. Fortunately, that’s not the case with Jack O’Brien’s visually stunning and superbly acted production of the play, now at the Delacorte Theater as the initial offering of the Public Theater’s “Shakespeare in the Park” season. While it’s considerably lighter on the mirth than one might expect, there’s also a greater depth of feeling here than I’ve found in some previous renditions of this play.

Much of “Much Ado” centers on the so-called “merry war” between Benedick (Hamish Linklater), a good-hearted, quick-witted, and slightly goofy soldier, and the even smarter, decidedly more imperious Lady Beatrice (Lily Rabe), who are loath to declare their true feelings for one another, hiding their emotions instead in jests and barbs. Here, one can’t always be sure that the almost shrewish Beatrice and the blustery Benedick wouldn’t rather make war than love, thanks to the razor-sharp (and often hilarious) delivery of Linklater and Rabe (who have co-starred in other plays and are reportedly a real-life item). But when the pair’s hearts finally melt and they completely open themselves up to each other, the effect is truly heart-wrenching.

So, for a change, is the eventual reconciliation of the virginal Hero (Ismenia Mendes) and the callow Claudio (Jack Cuttmore Scott) after he’s been tricked by the evil Don John (a very effective Pedro Pascal) and his henchman Bassanio (Eric Sheffer Stevens) into thinking she’s been unfaithful before their wedding. O’Brien invests this plotline with sufficient gravity, so it’s not just an afterthought to the main event.

Due to their short runs, “Shakespeare in the Park” productions often rely on ill-chosen star casting, but O’Brien’s big guns prove to be worth their weight in gold. As Hero’s father, Leonato – the owner of John Lee Beatty’s gorgeously-designed villa, John Glover is magnificent, transforming effortlessly from a seemingly kindly aristocrat to a disgusted father (when he believes that Hero has dishonored the family) to a valiant, angry protector once he knows the truth of Don Juan’s deception. Meanwhile, Brian Stokes Mitchell makes a full meal of commanding officer Don Pedro, showing off the man’s joie de vivre (and getting to use a little of his own wonderful singing voice), yet also reminding us that, at heart, he is a Prince and leader in every sense of the word.

There are also notable if small contributions from John Pankow (as the idiotic constable Dogberry), Kathryn Meisle (as Hero’s wise governess, Ursula), Austin Durant (as the kindly parish priest, Friar Francis), David Manis (as Leonato’s older brother, Antonio), and Steel Burkhardt (as house musician Balthazar).

True, even at its best, “Much Ado” doesn’t hold the weight of the Bard’s great tragedies, but it’s definitely good for more than “Nothing.”

By Brian Scott Lipton


Visit the Site
http://www.publictheater.org/en/programs--events/shakespeare-in-the-park/?SiteTheme=Shakespeare

Cast
Steel Burkhardt (Balthazar), Jack Cutmore-Scott (Claudio), Austin Durant (Friar Francis, Sexton), John Glover (Leonato), Hamish Linklater (Benedick), David Manis (Antonio, Verges), Kathryn Meisle (Ursula), Ismenia Mendes (Hero), Brian Stokes Mitchell (Don Pedro), John Pankow (Dogberry), Pedro Pascal (Don John), Lily Rabe (Beatrice), Eric Sheffer Stevens (Borachio), Zoë Winters (Margaret)

Open/Close Dates
Opening 6/3/2014
Closing 7/6/2014

Box Office
212-539-8500

Theatre Info
Delacorte Theater
Central Park (81st St & CPW or 79th St & Fifth Av)
New York, NY
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