Much Ado About Nothing |
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The men return from war only to find new battles on the field of love in Italy’s countryside. Artistic Director Jonathan Moscone helms Shakespeare’s comedy of love delayed, filled with villainy, betrayal, and a glorious ending celebrating the joy of love and the power of redemption. Featuring the same team of designers as Macbeth, both theatrical events will bring to vivid and unexpected life these magnificent examples of why Shakespeare remains The Man.
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Patron feedback after a recent performance of Much Ado About Nothing. Watch the video |
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Director Jonathan Moscone and actors Dan Hiatt and Nick Childress pride, rebirth, and Catholicism at a panel that took place partway through rehearsals for Much Ado About Nothing. Watch the video |
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Events
Inside Scoop, Monday, Sep 13, 7pm, Orinda Library, 24 Orinda Way, Orinda, California 94563
Audiences are invited to meet and converse with the director, actors and designers to learn about directorial points of view, actors’ methods, and design ideas for the upcoming production. Complimentary ice cream and Peet’s coffee is served. This event is free and open to the public.
Grove Talks, 45 minutes before each performance
Led by resident Grove Talks speakers, these free, informal 20-minute talks are held on site 45 minutes before each and every performance, offering invaluable insight into the play and the production.
Tastings, Tuesdays and Wednesdays, beginning at 6pm
Taste the best of the Bay Area’s wine, beer, coffee, sweets, and savories for free on Tuesdays and Wednesdays before the performance.
Meet the Artists, Sunday, Sep 26 and Oct 10, following the 4pm performance
Audience members enjoy an opportunity to engage in a lively discussion about the production with cast members following select 4pm matinee performances.
Behind the Scenes, Thursday, Sep 30, 5:30pm event; 7:30pm performance
Share an intimate chat with actors from each production. The evening includes a backstage tour, hors d’oeuvres, wine, and a catered dinner beginning at 5:30pm. Cost: $45 (not including theater ticket). Call 510.548.9666 or visit calshakes.org to order.
OUTdoors, Friday, Oct 1, 6:30pm
This pre-show party in the North Star Grove features cocktails, snacks, music, decor, and more inspired by the current Main Stage production. Just pop into the first grove on the right between 6:30 and curtain time to join the party. The LGBT party—including drinks and snacks—is free with your ticket to the performance.
InSight, Sunday, Oct 3, following the 4pm matinee
Explore the world of the play through an informal dialogue with the production’s dramaturg following select 4pm performances.
PRODUCTION PHOTOS:
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CAST
(in alphabetical order)
CATHERINE CASTELLANOS* URSULA/VERGES
NICK CHILDRESS* CLAUDIO
DAN HIATT* LEONATO
ANDREW HURTEAU* FRIAR
EMILY KITCHENS* HERO
DOMENIQUE LOZANO* BEATRICE
DELIA MACDOUGALL* MARGARET
ANDY MURRAY* BENEDICK
NICHOLAS PELCZAR* DON PEDRO
DANNY SCHEIE* DON JOHN/DOGBERRY
MICHAEL DAVISON CONRADE/ENSEMBLE
THOMAS GORREBEECK BORACHIO/ENSEMBLE
XANADU BRUGGERS ENSEMBLE
LUISA FRASCONI ENSEMBLE
JOHN R. LEWIS ENSEMBLE
JUSTIN LISZANCKIE ENSEMBLE
CREATIVE TEAM
JONATHAN MOSCONE DIRECTOR
DANIEL OSTLING SET DESIGNER
CHRISTAL WEATHERLY COSTUME DESIGNER
RUSSELL H. CHAMPA LIGHTING DESIGNER
ANDRE PLUESS SOUND DESIGNER
ERIKA CHONG SHUCH CHOREOGRAPHER
PHILIPPA KELLY DRAMATURG
NANCY CARLIN* TEXT AND VOCAL COACH
JESSICA RICHARDS CASTING DIRECTOR
ELIZABETH ATKINSON* STAGE MANAGER
BRIANA J. FAHEY* ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGER
GINA MARIE HAYES ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
EMILY GREENE ASSISTANT SET DESIGNER
RAY OPPENHEIMER ASSISTANT LIGHTING DESIGNER
CHRISTINA HOGAN PRODUCTION ASSISTANT
*Member of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.
'Much Ado' brought to life by mature couple
SF Chronicle
Marvelous Much Ado closes Cal Shakes season
Chad Jones’ Theater Dogs
“A wildly funny and well-crafted production.”
Contra Costa Times
Much Ado Buoyed by Unusual Casting
East Bay Express
Cal Shakes Satisfies with Much Ado
sfexaminer.com
“Jonathan Moscone has created a seamlessly fast-paced production about love, both deferred and impetuous, along with villainy and betrayal…. In a funny, realistic production, the audience sees genuine emotional bonds being created on the stage.”
SF Examiner
Much Ado Carries Forth Merrily at Cal Shakes
The Daily Cal
Listen to an illuminating Much Ado About Nothing Grove Talk by Cal Shakes Resident Dramaturg Philippa Kelly, recorded prior to a recent performance.
