A Holiday Gift

Much Ado About Nothing

You know how every once in a while you receive an unexpected present that feels like it was created especially for you? It’s the perfect color, size and style that you would’ve chosen for yourself, but your Secret Santa knew it was exactly what you wanted. It’s like a cup of warm cocoa or a warm hug from a friend—something that only the theatre can give. Well, that’s the very special holiday gift that the Chicago Shakespeare Theatre has waiting for every theatergoer. For several reasons, I was late to this party. But I’m so very glad that, despite the bitter cold and snow, I finally made it to Navy Pier. This delightful, delectable production of MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING delivers so much joy, laughter and music that theatergoers may want to return to enjoy it again…and again…and again…

Thought to be written by William Shakespeare around 1598, this captivating play is a love story and a comedy (especially in British Director Selina Cadell’s extraordinary production where hilarity reigns). In fact, it’s two contrasting love stories. Set in Messina, on the island of Sicily, one love story is told through the witty, verbal sparring between Beatrice and Benedick. The other is a more straightforward romantic account of the romance between Hero, Beatrice’s younger cousin, and Claudio, Benedick’s friend. Villainous Don John, the brooding brother of the much kinder and wiser Prince Don Pedro, attempts to destroy the love between Hero and Claudio. However, in the end, love wins out and everyone lives happily ever after.

Shakespeare’s exuberant comedy is full of festivity and tomfoolery. The playwright’s woven some of his most clever and sparkling dialogue into the sparring between the sharp-tongued Beatrice and and the anti-matrimonial Benedick. He’s also created the hilarious, low-comedy antics of some of the other characters, especially Dogberry, the night watch constable in Messina. Amidst all the fun and frolicking, the Bard injects evil Don John’s sinister attempt to destroy the love between Hero and Claudio, as well as all the tricks their friends devise to bring Beatrice and Benedick together. And Shakespeare also includes some topical themes, such as honor, deception, shame and the different gender roles expected of Elizabethan men and women. Coincidentally, these themes are still relevant today.

First of all, a giant gift-wrapped box of gratitude and praise goes to Selina Cadell for her exquisite Direction of this Shakespearean classic. I must confess that I mainly knew 

Ms. Cadell for her brilliant performances on my favorite PBS mystery programs, like “Poirot,” “Midsomer Murders,” “Queens of Mystery” and, of course, “Doc Martin.” And I appreciated how she guided the groundbreaking Eddie Izzard one-person HAMLET, seen at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre a year ago. But I had no idea Selina was such a gifted Director of comedy. What she’s created on the CST stage is inspired. There’s not a moment in this fast-paced production where the mind wanders; Ms. Cadell has kept the story bubbling and filled with comic energy, while the darker plot elements simmer away on the back burner. She’s drawn so many multilayered performances from this cast, far more than I’ve seen in most Shakespearean comedies. All I can say is, “Thank you for your artistic genius!”

A polished and professional production requires excellent actors. Well, I’m happy to report that this cast is totally top-notch and truly transcendent. And the exuberance one typically finds in a cast on opening night was still on full display the evening I attended, several weeks into the run. You can’t hide quality, and this company of actors sparkles with superbness, from the leading lady to the play’s strolling troupe of musicians. 

The main characters of Beatrice and Benedick are portrayed with panache by the craftily comic Deborah Hay and the enthusiastic and effervescent Mark Bedard. Both award-winning actors have extensive theatrical resumes, from Chicago to Broadway to the international stage. Ms. Hay appeared as Jacques in CST’s recent musical version of AS YOU LIKE IT, and Mr. Bedard has tread the boards at Navy Pier as the Duke of York in RICHARD III. But under Selina Cadell’s expert Direction, these two masterful actors display their talent at comedy, bringing laughter to new level. The chemistry between these two fine actors is evident from their very first, onstage encounter. In short, if you want to see the perfect Beatrice and Benedick, they’re chomping at the bit to show you their skill right now.

In some companies, these next characters are played by the “supporting actors.” But in this production that label doesn’t do justice to this company of talented Thespians. Debo Balogun, remembered at CST for his appearance as Sir Richard Ratcliffe in RICHARD III, is commanding and filled with a sense of playfulness as handsome Don Pedro. His nasty brother, Don John is played with sinister, serpentine style by the always impressive Erik Hellman. Remembered for so many romantic roles, such as in TRANSLATIONS at Writers Theatre, Mr. Hellman recently played another contemptible cad in Drury Lane’s DIAL M FOR MURDER. As  Leonato, the Governor of Messina, Beatrice’s uncle and Hero’s father, Kevin Gudahl is no stranger to CST audiences. The actor has appeared in their productions of COMEDY OF ERRORS, THE KING’S SPEECH and A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC, to name but a few. Mr. Gudahl is regal, yet a realistic human being, as a protective and caring father. He’s also a gracious host to his friends. Leonato’s brother Antonio is nicely handled with class by Chicago favorite, Jeff Parker (who also plays the Sexton).

One of the most familiar and best-loved Chicago actors, having been seen on most every major stage in the area, Sean Fortunato is absolutely brilliant as the foolish and self-important constable Dogberry. He recently appeared in the musical, SUNNY AFTERNOON, at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre. Mr. Fortunato was equally terrific as Frank Sr. in Marriott’s CATCH ME IF YOU CAN and knocked it out of the park as Miss Trunchbull in MATILDA at Drury Lane. As Hero, lovely and petite Mi Kang most recently appeared in the Goodman’s dynamic INHERIT THE WIND, in VILLETTE with Lookingglass Theatre and, my favorite, in the titular role of TimeLine’s THE CHINESE LADY. She makes a feisty and fun-loving young woman as Hero, although she can’t comprehend why she’s being unjustly accused of being a fallen woman. And playing Claudio, a Jeff Award-winning actor for CHOIR BOY at Steppenwolf, Samuel B. Jackson is making his CST debut. I’m sure, however, that theatergoers will be seeing much more of his talented young actor in the near future.

Mention must be made of the multitalented ensemble of musicians and minor characters portrayed by Suzanne Hannau (1st Watch), Joey Chelius (Messenger, 2nd Watch), Yona Moises Olivares (Borachio), Colin Huerta (Conrade), Jaylon Muchison (Friar, Verges and Balthasar), Felicia Oduh (Ursula) and Tiffany Scott (Margaret). They fill the stage with humor and Eliza Thompson’s Original Compositions. Kudos to Tom Piper for his airy, sun-drenched Scenic Design and breathtaking Costume creations. The production is Lighted with brilliant sunshine and shadowy moonlight by Jason Lynch; and Amber Mak keeps the production in motion as Movement Director.

Included as part of the First Folio, MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING remains one of William Shakespeares’s most popular plays, although it dates back to the late 16th century. Like THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR, this comedy by the Bard is unusual in that the dialogue for characters of lower status is written in prose. But the play is filled with so much humor and heart, that this production, especially as Directed by talented Selina Cadell, is like a holiday gift for the Chicago Shakespeare audience.         

Highly Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas

Presented November 18-December 21 by Chicago Shakespeare Theater, 800 E. Grand Avenue on Navy Pier, Chicago.

Tickets are available by calling the box office at 312-595-5600 or by going to www.chicagoshakes.com.

Additional information about this and other fine area productions can be found by visiting www.theatreinchicago.com