Shakespeare's 'Much Ado' resumes at UND's Burtness Theatre April 18-20; get tickets now

David L. Dodds

Document Type

News Article

Publication Date

4-11-2013

Campus Unit

College of Arts & Sciences

Abstract

Miscommunication, mayhem and merriment combine to offer an evening of light-hearted comedy in the University of North Dakota Theatre Arts' production of William Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing.

Performances will resume this week at UND's Burtness Theatre at 7:30 p.m., April 18-20.

The Saturday, April 20, performance will be interpreted in American Sign Language.

Set in a lush Italian villa in the 16th century with set design by Brad Reissig, the play opens with soldiers returning from the battlefield ready to leave war behind them and turn to the pursuit of love. In classic romantic comedy style Shakespeare presents two pair of lovers with a host of conflicts and complications.

A sumptuous masquerade ball provides ample opportunity for mistaken identity that together with the evil Don John's conniving machinations throw the entire world into chaos. He is not the only person trying to control what happens. Everyone seems to have a hand in plotting some action that backfires. A wedding ends with the groom hightailing it, a funeral turns out to be staged, celebrations lead to jail time, and spying results in misinformation.

Not to worry, the great Detective Dogberry will sort things out but only after he and his inept band of watchmen arrest the right people for the wrong reason.

This rapidly paced comedy is filled with slapstick, sharp-tongued wit and beguiling young lovers tossed about in the tumultuous hilarity.

Director Ali Angelone says the actions may be foolish, but the characters all must be played with complete realism in the belief that each is doing the right thing.

Michelle Davidson created diaphanous gowns and strikingly handsome uniforms to add to the rom-com mood of the play. Emily Elizabeth created ornate masks for the costume ball and Marilyn Gregoire designed and made jewelry for the women.

Ticket information:

Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students. Please call the Burtness Box Office at 701.777.2587 to reserve your tickets.

The cast and crew includes the following:

Stage Manager: Heidi Mann

Assistant Stage Managers: Casey Smith and Rachel Perry

Don Pedro: Philip Muehe, Rochester, Minn.

Don John: Daniel Dutot, Grand Forks

Claudio: Brian Dempcy, Louisburg, Minn.

Benedick: Brett Olson, Glenburn, N.D.

Leonato: Darin Kerr, Grand Forks

Antonio: Anthony Albright, Browns Valley, Minn.

Balthasar: Jackie O'Neil, Grand Forks

Borachio: Nick McConnell, GrandForks

Conrade: Ryan King, Grand Forks

Dogberry: Jordan Wolfe, Grand Forks

Verges: Patrick Kloeckner, Fairmont, Mont.

Hero: Daniella Lima, Grand Forks

Beatrice: Emily Wirkus, Albert Lea, Minn.

Margaret: Emily Elisabeth, St. Cloud, Minn.

Ursula: Abby Schoenborn, East Grand Forks

Friar Francis: Lucas Skjaret, Long Lake, Minn.

Messenger/Maid: Chelsie Pollert, Carrington, N.D.

Boy & Sexton: Dane Nielsen, Grand Forks

Dogberry's watchman 1: Jacqueline DeGraff, Bismarck

Dogberry's watchman 2: Crysta Robinson, Havre, Mont.

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