The Public's Much Ado About Nothing

The story

This bold interpretation of Shakespeare’s comedic masterpiece features Danielle Brooks (“Orange is the New Black,” Broadway’s “The Color Purple”) and Grantham Coleman (“Buzzer,” “The Americans”) as the sparring lovers Beatrice and Benedick. Tony Award winner Kenny Leon (“American Son,” “A Raisin in the Sun”) directs with choreography by Tony Award nominee Camille A. Brown (“Choir Boy”). Set in contemporary Georgia with an election race underway, Great Performances: Much Ado About Nothing finds the community of Messina celebrating a break from an ongoing war, but not all is peaceful amid the merriment. Former rivals battle it out, revenge is sought and trickery runs amok in this timeless comedy of romantic retribution and miscommunication. Earning a New York Times Critic’s Pick, the play was recorded during its final weekend of Free Shakespeare in the Park performances, June 22-23, 2019.

Cast

D Danielle BrooksBeatrice G Grantham ColemanBenedick C Chuck CooperLeonato E Erik LaRay HarveyAntonio/Verges K Kai HeathMessenger J Jamar BrathwaiteEnsemble J Jeremie HarrisClaudio D Daniel CroixBalthasar T Tyrone Mitchell HendersonFriar Francis/Sexton T Tiffany Denise HobbsUrsula L Lateefah HolderDogberry B Billy Eugene JonesDon Pedro

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M Margaret OdetteHero H Hubert Point-Du JourDon John J Jaime Lincoln SmithBorachio K Khiry WalkerConrade/Ensemble O Olivia WashingtonMargaret