A Comedy
by William Shakespeare

SEPT 12 - OCT 5, 2008

Shakespeare's uproarious comedy is a rollicking story full of goofy clowns, star-crossed lovers and some deliciously wicked villains. The play takes place in Messina, and centers around the family and friends of Leonato, the governor. Beatrice hates Benedick. Benedick hates all women. Yet, somehow, love triumphs over misunderstanding, mischief and madcap antics. There are two rocky romances about which much ado is made in this play. Benedick's fellow officer Claudio and Beatrice's cousin Hero don't hesitate to fall into each other's arms, but their bliss is momentarily imperiled by slanderous aspersions on her chastity. The plot to spoil Claudio and Hero's wedding day is exposed by one of Shakespeare's classic clowns, the bumbling constable Dogberry, master of the howling malapropisms ("Is all our dissembly appeared?"). His scenes are priceless.