Director Shirley Long takes a big swing in her second attempt at guiding a cast through the Rude Mechanicals version of Much Ado About Nothing, playing at Greenbelt Arts Center through May 17. She keeps Shakespeare’s script but sets and costumes it in the home of a 21st-century judge in the DMV.
Long comes up short in her interpretation. Greenbelt Arts Center’s thrust stage allows ample room for plays within a play, but the sparse setting leaves some of the audience’s views blocked, and the props often left me wondering what century I was in. For example, glass blocks were used as cell phones, and video boards set off center right and left displayed ads for Prince & Prince and Reelect Judge Leonato. The furniture took me back to Stratford-upon-Avon — except for a very cool mechanical unicycle, which left me feeling out of time and place.
The troupe saves the day by performing a great story. A translation into contemporary English may have helped the audience understand the jokes better.
The acting is delightful. Shakespeare is Shakespeare. The director fails to achieve her vision in this production. One reason is outdated sets. Another is the lack of depth given to Claudia.
The Hero and Claudia relationship needs further development; the Claudia character seems unrealistic. Claudia is more naïve than her position at Prince & Prince suggests. She idealizes Hero, putting her on a pedestal and viewing her as the epitome of virtue and perfection. Claudia’s impulsive nature is too easily influenced and manipulated by others. How many top DC lawyers are swayed like this?
In true Shakespeare fashion, love is still a theme, and the close relationships between women and men tend to suffer as the players progress from friends to lovers.
The best example is the relationship between Beatrice (Rebecca Korn) and Benedick (Erin Nealer). The two are constantly ribbing each other with witticisms, before members of the house decide to trick them into falling in love. The block to their love is internal: pride. They are funny as they proceed.
Not to spoil the ending, but when this pair finally marries, they seal it with a kiss. Nealer held an actor’s mask up to hide her laughing at this point.
The primary love story features the host’s daughter, Hero (Marianne Virnelson), and attorney Claudia (Claudia Bach). Claudia is captivated by Hero’s beauty and innocence, and she quickly declares her feelings to Benedick.
However, Virnelson and Bach play their roles as lovers through newness, loss, and redemption well. They need more time to develop this plot.
Scott Farquhar is a fine Leonato, whether he is welcoming friends to his estate, sharing in laughs, defending Hero’s honor, rebuking her, or planning her redemption. He does comedy and drama well. Wes Dennis plays a reserved Pedro Prince, the principal of Prince & Prince, PLC, a DC law firm specializing in law and public relations. Dennis played the dealmaker with a funny touch. He seemed capable of stealing scenes, but he did not. Virnelson is excellent in her death scene.
Alan Duda, Jaki Demarest, Liana Olear, Peter Orvetti, and Daniel Douek create the most peaceful, inept gendarmery to wander the streets of DC. And yet they hilariously uncover the crime of the week, unraveling Joan the Bastard’s (Joann Robertson) block to love.
The performance was elevated by the captivating songs of Danielle Delgado, complemented perfectly by the music of Matt Etner. Their contributions added an exciting new dimension to the experience.
Running Time: Approximately two hours, including one 15-minute intermission.
Much Ado About Nothing plays through May 17, 2025, presented by The Rude Mechanicals performing at Greenbelt Arts Center, 123 Centerway, Greenbelt, MD. To purchase tickets ($24, general admission; $22, senior/military; $12, child/student), call (301) 317-7964 or go online.
COVID Safety: Masks are optional.
Much Ado About Nothing
By William Shakespeare
Directed by Shirley Long
CAST
Scott Farquhar: Leonato
Daneille Delgado: Balthasar
Rebecca Korn: Beatrice
Marianne Virnelson: Hero
Wes Dennis: Pedro Prince
Erin Nealer: Benedick
Joann Robertson: Joan the Bastard
Claudia Bach: Claudia
Monica Duckles: Conrade
Steven Wilson: Borachio
Matt Etner: Musician
Stephan Cox: Antonio
Jenn Robinson: Margaret
Joshua Engel: Arturo
Daniel Douek: Dogberry
Peter Orvetti Verges
Samuel Kopel: Seacoal
Liana Olear: Oatcake
Jaki Demarest: 3rd Watch
Alan Duda: 4th Watch
Stuart Fischer: Reverend
Chris Dullnig: Sexton
CREW
Liana Olear: Producer/Stage Manager
Jaki Demarest: Assistant Director
Alan Duda: Assistant Director
Jeff Poretsky: Technical Director
Sam Kopel: Stage Crew
