‘Much Ado About Nothing’ is Stunningly Sweet at St. Dunstan’s Theatre
Where would the world of theater be without William Shakespeare? Widely considered the greatest English writer, the theater would not be what it is without the work of this prolific wordsmith. Throughout my high school and college careers, we frequently studied certain pieces more than others, with the tragedy of Romeo and Juliet being a favorite among the English departments. However, one such romance that we never read was that of Much Ado About Nothing, which might be the biggest tragedy of my education.
Since beginning this side quest of reviewing theatrical performances, I have only managed to see a single piece of Shakespeare on stage, which just so happened to be the Broadway production of Romeo and Juliet. All of which to say, I found myself excited to see St. Dunstan’s production of Much Ado About Nothing, which was only amplified by the excitement from Jenna Russell and Jonah Schulte when I interviewed them.
Having not read or seen this play before, I entered without any prior knowledge. What did St. Dunstan’s, and Shakespeare for that matter, have in store for me? While my mind was abuzz with all the incredible possibilities, nothing could prepare me for the sincerest and richest plays I’ve quite possibly ever seen.
[Warning: spoilers from Much Ado About Nothing are below!]
Enemies to lovers have never been so sweet
If there’s one thing that’s for certain, it’s that Benedick (Jonah Schulte) and Beatrice (Jenna Russell) don’t like each other in the slightest. Both parties find the other annoying, if not repulsive, and disgusted at having to run in the same circles. Neither would hesitate to strike a barbed word both behind the other’s backs and even to their face, filled with so much disdain that they can’t even see straight. However, due to some friendly and familial connections, the duo continues to find themselves closer to each other than they’d like to admit.
Who exactly are those ties? None other than our lovely Hero (Ellie Mosher) and the suave, although perhaps a bit awkward, Claudio (Jeff Rogers), who comprise the second couple of Much Ado about Nothing. Where Beatrice and Benedick appear older and more jaded to love, Hero and Claudio are young and naive. One could argue that it’s love at first sight, with Claudio falling head over heels for Hiro, with the latter sharing the sentiment.
It doesn’t take long for the young lovers to become betrothed, and together they develop a plan. Both Hero and Claudio (as well as everyone else in the play, for that matter) can see that there’s a spark between Benedick and Beatrice, one that they hope to ignite into flame. A plan is formed: through slight trickery, perhaps those closest to Benedick and Beatrice can convince both sides that the other is madly in love with them.
As Benedick and Beatrice get closer, doubt is sown amongst the people of Messina by Don John (Branden R. Omoregie). With the marriage of Claudio and Hero thrown into question, loyalties are tested in ways that Messina has yet to witness. Can Hero and Claudio make it up the aisle? Will Benedick and Beatrice finally admit their feelings for each other? Will Don John be held accountable for his crimes of scheming and deception? All answers lie within the words and prose of William Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing!
St. Dunstan’s leading duos make Much Ado About Nothing something spectacular
Most notable about St. Dunstan’s Theatre’s production of Much Ado About Nothing is just how large the cast is, which brings the story to life. There are no fewer than twenty people in the cast, with many scenes utilizing most of those actors. While some may find the numerous people on stage at once a distraction, the cast truly makes the world that Shakespeare has created feel expansive and lived-in. It also works so well because the story of Much Ado is incredibly intimate despite having a large ensemble.
At its core, Much Ado About Nothing is about two couples who are in different stages of love. Yes, there are other narratives threaded throughout the story, but ultimately it always comes back to the relationships of Hero and Claudio, and that of Beatrice and Benedick. It’s because of these two relationships that audiences become so enraptured with the story, and a large part of this production’s fascination is because of our four leads.
I feel it’s only right to begin with that of Hero and Claudio, for which nothing of the play would be put into motion if not for their love for one another. Ellie Mosher is endearing as Hero, a lady who is wiser than her years. Hero begins the show as someone who wants to believe the best in everyone, and is eventually confronted with the harsh realities of the world. Hero has one of the most complex journeys throughout Much Ado About Nothing, which Mosher handles with such ease and grace.
Balancing Hero out is the equally as complex Claudio, whose journey takes a much darker turn than anyone else in the show. Beginning as young, dumb, and in love, Claudio’s trust is challenged when rumors about his betrothed are thrown about. The internal conflict within this character is nothing short of robust, as he grapples with the consequences of his actions. Jeff Rogner has the weight of the world on his shoulders because it can’t be easy to nail this role; however, he once again proves just how talented he is by infusing Claudio with humanity.
However, this production truly shines because of the insane acting and chemistry between our Beatrice and Benedick. You can tell just how much Jenna Russell loves this story and character, as her Beatrice is brimming with palpable glee as Much Ado About Nothing opens. She brings an intoxicating energy to the role, which is only matched by the equally thrilling performance of Jonah Schulte. These two actors are different sides of the same coin, playing off of each other with a brightness that you can’t look away from.
Their energy alone reminded me of why I fell in love with theater in the first place, as these two are truly stars in their own right. When they were on stage, I was drawn right into the story, consistently leaning forward, waiting with baited breath for their lines of dialogue. The story itself is rich, but the gold only shines as bright because of the incredible work of Russell and Schulte.
That isn’t to say that the rest of the cast isn’t as good as these two actors, as everyone in the production was top-notch. Truly, St. Dunstan’s has outdone themselves with casting this Shakespearean play; however, there is something special about these four leads. The theatrical magic created on that outdoor Greek theatre stage was brilliant to behold, and a reminder of why we show up and show out for community performances.
Coming up next at St. Dunstan’s Theatre is Seminar, which opens on October 10th and runs through the 18th, so get your tickets now! Have you seen a production of Much Ado About Nothing before? Let us know on social media @BoxSeatBabes!
Exclusive Interview: Jenna Russell and Jonah Schulte of St. Dunstan’s Much Ado About Nothing
