Shakespeare in the Park is making much ado about something for their fourth year with their summer production of “ Much Ado About Nothing.
They are holding two audition this week for one of Shakespeare’s comedies.
“ It’s a comedy because cause everyone gets married in the end,” said producer Kate Connolly. Though there are some darker moments in the play.
“ Hero is accused of being with other men, but nobody believes her when she says she hasn’t,” Connolly said.
“Evil Don John tries to sabotage the wedding plans of the beautiful and virtuous Hero and her fiance, Claudio, but his wicked plans are overheard. Tragedy and disgrace are averted and the play ends with not one, but two glorious marriages - the second between this lively play's best loved characters - the sharp-witted and adorable Benedict and Beatrice, who always swear they hate each other, but are actually kindred spirits,” Connolly summarized.
Doug MacArthur will be directing the production this year. Erinn Watson, who performed in Shakespeare In The Park’s “A Twelfth Night” last year, will be assistant director this year. Ann Reid will be designing costumes.
There will be two nights of auditions. The first one is Wednesday, March 11 for university students, 4:30-7:30 p.m. in the Spinks Theatre. Auditioners must sign up and have prepared a two minute comic monologue.
No sign in is required and you may prepare a short comic monologue from Shakespeare or elsewhere, but it isn’t required.
If you have musical abilities, you are asked to bring your musical instrument.
Rehearsals will begin in early May and performances will be most Thursdays and Friday in July and August. There will also be two Saturday matinees at CASA and Shakespeare In Park will be performing in Nanton at the Nanton Arts Festival.
“There will be a case of up to 18 and we may double up some pats,” said Connolly, who has spent the last year trimming the play down from a two hours to a svelte 90 minutes. She has also turned a few of the male characters into females so an equal number of male and female actors will be needed.
“Balthazar (the musician) is now Barthola and I turned Don John’s confidante Conrade into a female,” she said.
