Hilberry's "Much Ado About Nothing" is really something!

            The Hilberry Theatre Company’s exciting and innovative run of William Shakespeare’s romantic comedy “Much Ado about Nothing” closes its four week run Nov. 19, so catch an 8 p.m. show before the stage goes dark.

RAIN LIMITS REIGN

            The graduate company shows at the Hilberry are usually performed in rotating repertory for several months, but because of the innovative set elements in “Much Ado about Nothing” – which include an onstage gravel catch basin for mid-show rain – the set needed to stay in place for the duration of the run.

WHERE TO GO

            The Hilberry Theatre is at 4743 Cass at Hancock on the Wayne State University campus in Detroit. For tickets and more information call (313) 577-2972 or go to http://www.hilberry.com/.

THE PLOT

            Shakespeare’s “Much Ado about Nothing” focuses on two couples and the rollercoaster ride of their attractions, as well as how both the treachery and loyalty of others can either ruin or strengthen their bonds of love. Fast-paced and full of fascinating characters, the show is a wonderful vehicle for the talented Hilberry Company.

THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST

            Visiting director Matthew Earnest went beyond the basics and added many fascinating layers to the production that made it both thought-provoking and entertaining.

           

EASY ELIZABETHAN ENGLISH    

            The talented cast is very believable and easy to understand, and they have fun with the physicality of the show, which includes a colorful costume party, singing and dancing, and several plots cleverly wrapped around the scheming storyline.

THE WALL

            The dominate set piece, designed by Pegi Marshall-Amundsen, is a large green, foliage covered wall with multiple hidden windows and doors that reminds one of the iconic Laugh In television show set piece. In addition to allowing characters to rapidly pop in and out, it facilitates the smooth, seamless flow of scenes.

TWO BY TWO

            The two couples – bold Beatrice and Benedick, and contrastingly quiet Claudio and Hero,

are played respectively by talented and entertaining third year company members Vanessa Sawson, Dave Toomey, Christopher Ellis and Carollette Phillips respectively, providing the backbone of the storyline.

A STRONG SUPPORTING CAST

            The remarkable cast also includes Alec Barbour as Don Pedro, Christopher Call as Antonio, Danielle Cochrane as Margaret, Megan Dobbertin as Ursula, Brent Griffith as Leonato, Sara Hymes as Verges, Sharayah Johnson as the Sexton, Zach Johnson as Watch 2, Edmund Alyn Jones as Borachio, Andrew Papa as Don John, Topher Payne as Balthasar, Jonathan Pigott as Watch 1, Joshua Blake Rippy as Dogberry, David Sterritt as Conrade and Lorelei Sturm as Friar Francis.

CREATIVE COSTUMES

            While many of the costumes intentionally follow a beige or army fatigue camouflage color palette, which contrasts nicely against the leafy green set wall, the costume party – complete with animal masks -- provides costume designer Jessica Van Essen with a creative outlet.          

            For more information, call (313) 577-2972 or go to http://www.hilberry.com/.