Here’s the first look at The Public Theater‘s Free Shakespeare in the Park production of MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING, directed by Kenny Leon. MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING is running at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park through Sunday, June 23 with an official opening on Tuesday, June 11.
The all-black cast of MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING includes Tony winner Chuck Cooper as Leonato, Danielle Brooks (Orange Is The New Black) as Beatrice, Boardwalk Empire’s Erik LaRay Harvey as Antonio/Verges, Grantham Coleman (Buzzer) as Benedick, Jeremie Harris (Legion) as Claudio, Daniel Croix Henderson (Seven Guitars, Purchase Rep.) as Balthasar, Tyrone Mitchell Henderson (Yale Rep’s An Enemy of the People) as Friar Francis/Sexton, Tiffany Denise Hobbs (Yale Rep’s Twelfth Night) as Ursula, Lateefah Holder (Modern Family) as Dogberry, Billy Eugene Jones (A Raisin in the Sun) as Don Pedro, Margaret Odette (The Convent) as Hero, Hubert Point-Du Jour (Happyish) as Don John, Jaime Lincoln Smith (Pipeline) as Boracchio, and Olivia Washington (The Butler) as Margaret.
Rounding out the company are Jamar Brathwaite (Ensemble), Javen K. Crosby (Ensemble), Denzel DeAngelo Fields (Ensemble), Tayler Harris (Ensemble), Kai Heath (Messenger), LaWanda Hopkins (Dancer), William Roberson (Ensemble), Jazmine Stewart (Ensemble), Khiry Walker (Conrade/Ensemble), and Latra A. Wilson (Dancer).
MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING features scenic design by Beowulf Boritt; costume design by Emilio Sosa; lighting design by Peter Kaczorowski; sound design by Jessica Paz; music composition by Jason Michael Webb; wigs, hair, and make-up design by Mia Neal; fight direction by Thomas Schall; and voice and text by Kate Wilson.
Kenny Leon directs a bold new take on Shakespeare’s cherished comedy of romantic retribution and miscommunication, MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING. In this modern production, we find the community of Messina celebrating a break from an ongoing war. But not all is peaceful amid the revelry, as old rivals engage in a battle of wits, unexpected foes plot revenge, and young lovers are caught in a tumultuous courtship – until love proves the ultimate trickster, and undoes them all.
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