{"id":133477,"date":"2019-05-30T00:23:47","date_gmt":"2019-05-30T04:23:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.blackfilm.com\/read\/?p=133477"},"modified":"2019-05-30T11:42:05","modified_gmt":"2019-05-30T15:42:05","slug":"first-look-at-kenny-leons-much-ado-about-nothing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.blackfilm.com\/read\/first-look-at-kenny-leons-much-ado-about-nothing\/","title":{"rendered":"First Look At Kenny Leon’s Much Ado About Nothing"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Here’s the first look at The Public Theater<\/a>‘s Free Shakespeare in the Park production of MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING<\/strong>, directed by Kenny Leon<\/strong>. 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.<\/p>\n

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The all-black cast of MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING includes Tony winner Chuck Cooper<\/strong> as Leonato, Danielle Brooks<\/strong> (Orange Is The New Black) as Beatrice, Boardwalk Empire’s Erik LaRay Harvey<\/strong> as Antonio\/Verges, Grantham Coleman<\/strong> (Buzzer) as Benedick, Jeremie Harris<\/strong> (Legion) as Claudio, Daniel Croix Henderson<\/strong> (Seven Guitars, Purchase Rep.) as Balthasar, Tyrone Mitchell Henderson<\/strong> (Yale Rep’s An Enemy of the People) as Friar Francis\/Sexton, Tiffany Denise Hobbs<\/strong> (Yale Rep\u2019s Twelfth Night) as Ursula, Lateefah Holder<\/strong> (Modern Family) as Dogberry, Billy Eugene Jones<\/strong> (A Raisin in the Sun) as Don Pedro, Margaret Odette<\/strong> (The Convent) as Hero, Hubert Point-Du Jour<\/strong> (Happyish) as Don John, Jaime Lincoln Smith<\/strong> (Pipeline) as Boracchio, and Olivia Washington<\/strong> (The Butler) as Margaret.<\/p>\n

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Rounding out the company are\u00a0Jamar Brathwaite<\/strong> (Ensemble), Javen K. Crosby<\/strong> (Ensemble), Denzel DeAngelo Fields<\/strong> (Ensemble), Tayler Harris<\/strong> (Ensemble), Kai Heath<\/strong> (Messenger), LaWanda Hopkins<\/strong> (Dancer), William Roberson<\/strong> (Ensemble), Jazmine Stewart<\/strong> (Ensemble), Khiry Walker<\/strong> (Conrade\/Ensemble), and Latra A. Wilson<\/strong> (Dancer).<\/p>\n

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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.<\/p>\n

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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.<\/p>\n