I've seen a lot of Shakespeare re-imagined into other venues and eras. I've seen "A Comedy of Errors" set in a Depression Era Circus, "The Merry Wives of Windsor" in the Brady Bunch universe, and "A Twelfth Night" in an Airport Waiting Lounge, among others. And so with this production of "Much Ado About Nothing" being set in a modern day Cable News Network (SNN - Shakespeare News Network, naturally), I had my doubts. While "A Twelfth Night" worked, "A Comedy of Errors," well, more errors than comedy!
However, from the moment you enter the theater and see the elaborate SNN News Set, you have to think as I did, "this is going to be good." But I was wrong...it was AMAZING! The set was divided into three scenes resting on a stage-wide "Lazy Susan" that rotated from one transformation to the next. A stunning wonder all on its own, kudos to Scenic Designer, Alexander Dodge. The lighting--ambient, ornamental and functional--in the News Studio third was so beautifully integrated it deserves its own mention as does Lighting Designer Donald Holder.
Of course, these are just the trappings, not even the most amazing lipstick in the world can hide a pig. In this cast, I'm convinced that if this had been performed in a pig sty, I would have been as impressed. Many of the actors were new to me and came with long resumes starting with Broadway and Off-Broadway credits. One exception was Ed Gero. If DMV theatre has a royal family, a very good case could be made to crown him its King. Ed actually is a founding member of STC. When Ed is in a show, you always know one thing, one of the performances is going to be exceptional. As Leonato, the father of the maiden, Hero, in the guise of the SNN Studio Executive he moves from whimsical good humor to passionate sorrow with the ease of a walk on the beach, a punch that takes you from laughter to tears.
A strong cast can bury wonderful performances, but it can also be the catalyst to pulling up wonderful performances to the next level. Within this play there are little ensembles throughout, and that synergy was apparent. The most brilliant example being the SNN Security Team: Verges, Hugh Oatcake, Georgina Seacoal and Dogberry. David Bishins' funny and slapstick Verges, led the quartet in moments of beautifully executed; sight gags and good-natured, clownish camaraderie, that left both myself and the audience laughing without hesitation over and over again. So hats off to Quinn M. Johnson, Dave Quay and Ravine Lorraine--Ravine, who also portrayed club singing Belle Shazzar (an addition to the Originally cast, I have no doubt!).
That all said, the true glue is found in the performances of Kate Jennings Grant as Beatrice and Rick Holmes as Benedick. As the older and more mature of the crossed lovers, Beatrice and Benedick do a lot of barb trading. As the co-Anchors of the nightly news show, they were just delish in these moments. Each held such a presence of un-interrupted animus for the other, until like little children their hard-ass acts melting into a passionate desire for the other. On the road to this transformation, both are subjected to a contrived over-hearing of gossip about the other meant to change their opinions. The scenes were played out with so much delightful physical comedy, and each actor managed their portion with jaw-dropping humor. From Kate Jennings Grant diving into a night cleaners trash hamper only to be pelted with party left overs. Then to later emerge and find cause to remove a half-eaten piece of pizza from her bra! And later still, popcorn from the same region that she would eat and offer up some to the googly eyed Benedick, more than happy eating some himself. To Rick Homes using a potted plant to side dance from one corner of the stage to the other, only to be "accidentally" dowsed with a fire extinguisher not once, not twice, but three times! These descriptions are lame by comparison of the actual performances. Think, Lucille Ball, at her "I Love Lucy" best. The actors' depth of talent and commitment to their characters was more than award worthy.
The ribbon on the box that housed this production's theme was found throughout the play. There are news segments in which the plots with quotes from a full range of Shakespeare plays form the basis of the leading news stories, and the weather and sports segments. The first featured a cameo by Wolf Blitzer to the enjoyment of everyone. Another triumph! I guess this show is only around for another week and I don't know if it's even possible to find a ticket, but if you can, you will surely be grateful you did.
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