She hates him. He loatheItss her. "The course of true love never did run smooth." Wait, that is A Midsummer Night's Dream, but in any case, it's a Shakespearean theme that runs through many of his plays. The Chicago Shakespeare Theater's production of Much Ado About Nothing is directed by one of my favorite British actors/directors, Selina Cadell, a veteran of stage, screen, and television. The cast plays the funny, oddball, and quirky characters that I have come to expect from the gentry of the Shakespearean era. Those types of character are what Cadell is known for on my favorite British show 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 military 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 each other for ages and can barely hide their contempt. Beneath all that anger is a bubbling passion that is the source of comic gold.
Hay is fun to watch as the witty and sarcastic Beatrice. Her intelligence and love of freedom would label her a "shrew." Beatrice is one of the more significant female comic roles that Shakespeare wrote. Hay's chemistry with Bedard is excellent as it escalates throughout the play. I found the chemistry between Kang and Jackson to be lacking for a couple as smitten as they are supposed to be.
The so-called peripheral characters are the best and most memorable in Much Ado About Nothing. Jaylon Muchison plays the Friar, Verges, and Balthasar. He's most hilarious as the constable Verges, who assists Chief Constable Dogberry, played by Sean Fortunato. Dogberry has possibly been the inspiration for every officer of the law from Barney Fife to Boss Hogg. Fortunato is fantastic as the word-salad-spewing constable. His body language is a hurdy gurdy of broad gestures, sudden aha's, and suddenly still in deep thought. Muchison's Verges is literally a clinging shadow to Dogberry in perfect sync with his moves.
Erik Hellman as the scheming Don John glowers and all but twirls a moustache as he plots with Borachio (Yona Moises Olivares) and Conrade (Colin Huerta) to besmirch his niece Hero's reputation. Don John is Leonato's illegitimate brother and is bitter about not having the same status. He wants to embarrass his noble brother, even though it will not elevate his status. Olivares and Huerta are charming as a pair of gullible idiots. As a fun fact, Borachio means drunkard, and although the character is not obviously drunk, his pickled brain hatches the scheme to dishonor Hero.
The cast works together well, but the best pairings are Hay and Bedard as love-hate lovers. The other pair is Dogberry with his deputy constable Verges. Cadell does a fine job helming this Shakespeare comedy classic. From what I have seen of her as an actor, I can see her comedic imprint on the play. The pacing is perfect and the cast has a command of the tongue twisting Shakespeare and Elizabethan dialogue.
Scenic and costume designer Tom Piper does a wonderful job with the set. All of the action takes place in the beautiful courtyard of nobleman Leonato. A tree with a swing, balconies festooned with garlands, and arches on all sides are minimal yet lush. The costumes are contemporary attire, which threw me off at first but then, the story and foibles of the characters are timeless. Three Stars.
I highly recommend a trip to the village of Messina via the Chicago Shakespeare Theater. Much Ado About Nothing runs for 2 hours and 15 minutes with an intermission, through December 21 at Chicago Shakespeare Theater located at Navy Pier, 800 E Grand Ave. For tickets and more information please visit www.chicagoshakes.com.
For more information on this and other productions, see theatreinchicago.com.
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