Review: Quirky Characters Highlight the Enjoyable in Much Ado About Nothing at Chicago Shakespeare Theater

She hates him. He loatheItss her. “The course of true love never did run smooth.” Wait, that’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, however in any case, it is a Shakespearean theme that runs by means of a lot of his performs. The Chicago Shakespeare Theater’s manufacturing of Much Ado About Nothing is directed by one in all my favourite British actors/administrators, Selina Cadell, a veteran of stage, display screen, and tv. The forged performs the humorous, oddball, and quirky characters that I’ve come to count on from the gentry of the Shakespearean period. Those varieties of character are what Cadell is thought for on my favourite British present Midsomer Murders.

Leonato (Kevin Gudahl) is the harried father of the bride, Hero (Mi Kang). Her betrothed Claudio (Samuel B. Jackson) is besotted with Hero and is accompanied by his senior navy officer, Don Pedro (Debo Balogun). In the midst of the prenuptial mayhem is quirky cousin Beatrice (Deborah Hay) and her nemesis Benedick (Mark Bedard). These two have been circling one another for ages and may barely disguise their contempt. Beneath all that anger is a effervescent ardour that’s the supply of comedian gold.

Hay is enjoyable to observe because the witty and sarcastic Beatrice. Her intelligence and love of freedom would label her a “shrew.” Beatrice is likely one of the extra important feminine comedian roles that Shakespeare wrote. Hay’s chemistry with Bedard is great because it escalates all through the play. I discovered the chemistry between Kang and Jackson to be missing for a pair as smitten as they’re imagined to be.

The so-called peripheral characters are the very best and most memorable in Much Ado About Nothing. Jaylon Muchison performs the Friar, Verges, and Balthasar. He’s most hilarious because the constable Verges, who assists Chief Constable Dogberry, performed by Sean Fortunato. Dogberry has presumably been the inspiration for each officer of the legislation from Barney Fife to Boss Hogg. Fortunato is implausible because the word-salad-spewing constable. His physique language is a hurdy gurdy of broad gestures, sudden aha’s, and instantly nonetheless in deep thought. Muchison’s Verges is actually a clinging shadow to Dogberry in excellent sync together with his strikes.

Erik Hellman because the scheming Don John glowers and all however twirls a moustache as he plots with Borachio (Yona Moises Olivares) and Conrade (Colin Huerta) to besmirch his niece Hero’s popularity. Don John is Leonato’s illegitimate brother and is bitter about not having the identical standing. He needs to embarrass his noble brother, regardless that it won’t elevate his standing. Olivares and Huerta are charming as a pair of gullible idiots. As a enjoyable truth, Borachio means drunkard, and though the character shouldn’t be clearly drunk, his pickled mind hatches the scheme to dishonor Hero.

The forged works collectively nicely, however the very best pairings are Hay and Bedard as love-hate lovers. The different pair is Dogberry together with his deputy constable Verges. Cadell does a superb job helming this Shakespeare comedy basic. From what I’ve seen of her as an actor, I can see her comedic imprint on the play. The pacing is ideal and the forged has a command of the tongue twisting Shakespeare and Elizabethan dialogue.

Scenic and costume designer Tom Piper does a beautiful job with the set. All of the motion takes place within the stunning courtyard of nobleman Leonato. A tree with a swing, balconies festooned with garlands, and arches on all sides are minimal but lush. The costumes are modern apparel, which threw me off at first however then, the story and foibles of the characters are timeless. Three Stars.

I extremely suggest a visit to the village of Messina through the Chicago Shakespeare Theater. Much Ado About Nothing runs for two hours and quarter-hour with an intermission, by means of December 21 at Chicago Shakespeare Theater situated at Navy Pier, 800 E Grand Ave. For tickets and extra data please go to www.chicagoshakes.com.

For extra data on this and different productions, see theatreinchicago.com.