By Cari Lynn Pace
Care for a quick visit to Key West, Florida? That’s the lively and colorful setting that director Dominique Lozano chose to present Marin Shakespeare Company’s comedy Much Ado About Nothing. This stage setting is a treat: a tiki bar, dive shop, and two-story bungalow designed by Nina Ball. It’s as cool and colorful as three scoops of ice cream.
For those who may be intimidated by Shakespeare’s complex character mix-ups, you can relax. In this production characters do not change sexes or wear disguises. All are amusing, and the Prince wears what appears to be a Navy or Coast Guard uniform. Some of the characters’ ulterior motives are hidden, but that’s the play. The dialog is spoken in the Bard’s patois and is easy to follow, thanks to the characters being so good at their roles.
” … This bright comedy would make Shakespeare proud …”
It’s summertime, and the island’s governor Leonato (Victor Talmadge) and his wife (Keiko Shimosato Carreiro) await the return of soldiers from their duty away. They chat comfortably with their daughter Hero (Diyar Banna) and her cousin Beatrice (Bridgette Loriaux.) When the conversation turns to love and Beatrice’s marital prospects, she assures them she enjoys being single, citing many amusing reasons.
At last, the Prince (Edward Neville) arrives with his soldiers in camouflage garb, and are warmly welcomed. Travelling with the Prince are Benedick (Johnny Moreno) and Claudio, a corpsmen. Young Claudio locks eyes with the governor’s daughter Hero and is instantly smitten. She is likewise smitten, making them the focus of one part of the play.
Claudio confides he’s in love too, so confirmed bachelor Benedick gives a lengthy discourse about the pitfalls of marriage and why he would never be so foolish. Reluctantly, Benedick agrees to help Claudio win permission to wed Hero. Will a dance do it? The cast certainly shows off their steps, thanks to double-duty actor and choreographer Loriaux.
Much Ado about Nothing becomes “something” when Benedick’s buddies secretly plot to manipulate him into attraction for Beatrice. Similarly, Beatrice’s bosom buddies observe that Benedick would make a good match for the fiery Beatrice. Each cadre of conspirators stage gossip, intentionally allowing either Beatrice or Benedick to overhear that one is attracted to the other. These scenes have to be the funniest parts ever written by Shakespeare or performed on the Forest Meadows stage.
The plot returns to the two young lovers, Hero and Claudio. Their betrothal is approved and they prepare for the wedding day. Mysteriously, evil intent lurks in the minds of the Prince’s sister and her BFF. They prepare a fake video showing Hero to be untrue, and show it to Claudio. Claudio flies into a rage, swears to forsake Hero at the altar and condemn her for her disloyalty. When he does so, Hero collapses.
Soon after this debacle, a pair of bumbling detectives are approached by one of the fake video creators, who has had remorse and confesses. The detectives show the evidence to Claudio. His punishment is set by Hero’s parents.
Some would have predicted the end, where Benedick and Beatrice realize they indeed are well matched. Fewer may predict the end when Claudio professes chagrin at his jealous rage and asks Hero to forgive him. Shakespeare’s Hero replies “Not so fast!” It’s a satisfying end to a play with age-old themes and updated modern accessories.
So — get thee to Marin Shakespeare for this show! And remember, nights can get very cold if the fog rolls in. Picnics are welcome; snacks and wine available for purchase.
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ASR Reviewer Cari Lynn Pace is a member of SFBATCC and writes theatre and lifestyle reviews. She is also the author of the real estate reference book “Don’t Shoot Me…I’m Just the Real Estate Agent!” Contact: [email protected]
| Production | Much Ado About Nothing |
|---|---|
| Written by | William Shakespeare |
| Directed by | Domenique Lozano |
| Producing Company | Marin Shakespeare Company |
| Production Dates | Thru July 28th |
| Production Address | Forest Meadows Amphitheater (outdoors), Dominican University of California 890 Belle Avenue, San Rafael, CA |
| Website | www.marinshakespeare.org |
| Telephone | (415) 499-4485 |
| Tickets | Variable to $40. |
| Reviewer Score | Max in each category is 5/5 |
| Overall | 4.5/5 |
| Performance | 4.5/5 |
| Script | 4/5 |
| Stagecraft | 4.75/5 |
| Aisle Seat Review PICK? | YES! |