Reviewed by Judy Richter
William Shakespeare's "Much Ado About
Nothing"
has much to do about love. As seen in California Shakespeare Theater's production, there's familial
love between and among Leonato (Dan Hiatt), his daughter, Hero (Emily Kitchens), and his niece, Beatrice (Domenique
Lozano). There's
also fraternal love among Don Pedro (Nicholas Pelczar) and the soldiers under his
command. Finally, there's simple, young romantic love between Hero and soldier
Claudio (Nick Childress) and more complicated, more mature love between Beatrice and soldier
Benedick (Andy Murray).
The
two romantic loves take center stage as Hero and Claudio fall immediately in
love and plan to marry, only to have their dreams foiled by the machinations of
Don Pedro's villainous half-brother, Don John (Danny Scheie). Beatrice and Benedick have
known each other for a much longer time, and they have bickered the entire
time. It takes some more machinations, though of the well-intended kind, to
make these two intelligent, independent people realize they love each other.
The villainy by Don John and his henchmen is undone through a clever plan
conceived by Friar Francis (Andrew Hurteau). Constable Dogberry (Scheie again) and his
ragtag assistants also have a hand in the undoing despite Dogberry's pomposity
and malapropisms.
CST
artistic director Jonathan Moscone helms this fine, season-ending production, which features
a strong cast highlighted by those already named. The verbal battles between
Lozano's Beatrice and Murray's Benedick are a special delight.
Daniel
Ostling's set,
which prominently features a red-leaved tree, stresses the autumnal aspects of
Beatrice and Benedick's relationship. The complimentary lighting is by Russell
H. Champa. The
handsome Edwardian costumes are by Christal Weatherly with sound by Andre Pluess and choreography by Erika
Chong Shuch.
For More Information
Return to Home Page