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Much Ado About Nothing By William Shakespeare Directed by Michael Goldberg Produced by First Folio Shakespeare Festival At Mayslake Peabody Estate 31st & Rt. 83 Oakbrook, IL Call 630-986-8067, www.firstfolio.org, tickets $26 adults, $21 students/seniors Wednesdays thru Sundays at 8:15 Running time 2 hours, 45 minutes with intermission Through August 17, 2008 Terrific humor from an outstanding cast propels “Much Ado About Nothing.” First Folio Shakespeare Festival has mounted a polished outdoor production of the popular Shakespeare comedy “Much Ado About Nothing.” The tale of the bickering Beatrice (Melissa Carlson) and Benedick (Nick Sandys) whose tempestuous relationship is saved as they unite to help the star-stuck young lovers Claudio (Will Allan) and Hero (Alison Lani) after Hero’s honor is challenged. This comedy is about cuckoldry, or infidelity of a wife. In Shakespeare’s time, men couldn’t trust their women’s fidelity. They tended to believe any rumor concerning a woman’s sexual proclivity. Meanwhile, Beartrice and Benedict constantly trade barbs and insults as both loudly proclaim they’ll never marry. We know they are in love and their friends plot to get them together. The inevitable happens.
The plots, subplots moved along by the arranged over heard conversations are nicely played out by director Michael Golberg’s stellar cast. The Bard’s comedy is clever, funny and energetically staged. Patrick Clear’s Leonato, Dominic Green’s Don Pedro and Rene Ruelas’ Friar Francis offer fine supporting work. Newcomer Will Allan, as Claudio, catapulted himself with his deft work as the young lover. Alison Lani, as Hero, complimented Allan. John Reeger’s fabulous Dogberry steals the second act as the bumbling sheriff whose misuse of words was a hoot. Reeger is a marvelous comic.
The highlight of this production is the razor-sharp word play between Nick Sandys’ Benedick and Melissa Carlson’s Beatrice. These two fine performers have a spark and catchy stage chemistry that is contagious. The two do the bickering lovers justice in two of the finest performances of the year. Kudos to First Folio Shakespeare Festival for such a polished, tight and articulate production. This show is one funny, sexually charged “merry war of wits.” Get the family together, fill the baskets with food and drink, and enjoy the beautiful Mayslake Peabody Estate in the great outdoors. The Shakespeare is the icing on the cake. Highly Recommended Tom99@chicagocritic.com for comments Talk Theatre in Chicago podcast Date Reviewed: July 11, 2008
Review by Randy Hardwick Michael Goldberg’s brilliant production of Shakespeare’s romantic comedy Much Ado About Nothing, now playing at First Folio Shakespeare in Oak Brook, is as fine a rendition of this perennial favorite as one is likely to see. Goldberg has assembled a brilliant cast and he is secure enough to get out of the way and let them do the show as Shakespeare wrote it. The result is a thoroughly satisfying, totally engrossing production made even more enjoyable by the lovely grounds of the Mayslake Peabody estate that is home to First Folio.
The veteran cast is led by a quartet of Equity performers that includes Melissa Carlson and Nick Sandy as Beatrice and Benedick, two arch enemies who have foresworn love but end up tricked through Shakespearean plot devices into each others’ arms. The banter between these two pros is terrific. Carlson takes one of Shakespeare’s great female comedy roles and creates a confident, in-your-face Beatrice who gets to the heart of the war between the sexes. As wonderful as Carlson and Sandy are together, the casting of Alison Lani and Will Allan as Beatrice’s cousin Hero and Benedick’s comrade-in-arms Claudio is the critical element that makes this cast soar. The younger couple seems perfect and perfectly in love, with the range of emotion from innocence to jealousy, rage, despair and ultimately joy perfectly played. The supporting cast is superb, contributing the small moments and side details that keep the action lively throughout. And, of course, no production of Much Ado About Nothing is complete without a wonderful Dogberry, the blundering fool of a constable who inadvertently spoils the plot to ruin Hero and Claudio’s happiness. It’s a fun and funny role that every actor would love to play, a huge part with free reign for a huge actor. John Reeger is such an actor and his Dogberry is hilarious. Quite unobtrusively, there are supporting elements that round out this wonderful show. Andre Pluess’ sound design is perfect. Shakespeare in the great outdoors can be difficult to hear, but audiences don’t miss a word in this production. Christopher Jensen’s Sicilian villa set is efficient and beautiful and Jensen’s subtle lighting does a great job of moving the characters around the gardens and grounds of the estate. Nick Sandy’s stylized fight choreography is highly effective, as are Elsa Hunter’s delicious period costumes. Director Goldberg has gathered talented people in all areas. He has blocked out the action, stood back and let the actors take the stage – just as the Bard intended it to be. Get out the picnic gear and go see this show. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED randyontheglobe@yahoo.com for commnets Date Reviewed: july 11, 2008 |
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Site owned by Tom Williams 1-773-549-0227, tom99@chicagocritic.com Copyright, Chicago, IL 2006 |
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