By Katrina Dawn
This weekend, the SCERA Theatre in Orem is hosting The Grassroots Shakespeare Company and their production of William Shakespeare‘s Much Ado About Nothing. This company’s productions of shows written by the beloved Bard and some of his peers are always high energy and tons of fun. Each production is performed in the fashion that they would have originally presented and are assembled in a matter of a few weeks. The stage is built on location, actors play multiple parts, live music accompanies the performance, and audience participation is encouraged. Grassroots often cuts down the lengthy script to accommodate modern audiences. Those who are wary of Shakespeare should consider Grassroots as an ideal place to begin. Not only does the audience get a taste of what Tudor theater was like, but the actors are always large in their voices and movements. Even those who are unfamiliar with the language find it easy to follow the plot, learn characters’ personalities, and have a good time. I personally try to get to every Grassroots production I can.
A full synopsis can be easily found online, as Much Ado About Nothing is well-known and in the public domain, but it concerns two pairs of lovers who are afflicted by the conspiracies of others. For one, they are subject to the gleeful efforts of friends and family to trick them into admitting their true feelings. The other couple falls prey to a rival who wants to see mischief and scandal win the day. As it is a comedy, there is a resolution and a satisfactory ending, but the story itself is complicated.
With every Shakespearean work, we must have our leading couples: Benedick (Tyler Harris) is paired with Beatrice (Jessamyn Svensson), and Claudio (Brandon Bills) pursues Hero (Emma Robinson). Both pairs are adorable on stage, really making the moments feel real. Svensson is extremely animated. There isn’t ever any doubt what Beatrice is thinking and feeling, especially about Benedick. Harris nails the “there’s a double meaning in that” scene after Beatrice begrudgingly calls Benedick in to dinner.
Claudio surprised me when he burst into à capella song; Bills’ voice is something I did not expect, but is scrumptious. Robinson fits the role of Hero perfectly with her sweet smile and curly hair. When she is giddy with love, the whole theatre is twitter-pated.
Our dastardly villain, Don John (Soren Budge), was written passively compared to such classic Shakespearean antagonists as Iago or Richard III. This doesn’t hinder Budge in the slightest. Every cape swish exit alludes to evil, not to mention the body language.
Arden Smith (Don Pedro) is extremely talented, since he masters any role he is cast in; he even found a wife in the audience! (This will make sense in the context of the show.) Although Mira Kocherhans (Verges) is the smallest in stature of the cast, her performance does not match her size. She has the energy of a small child who is giving Verges her all.
Don John’s henchmen, Borrachio (Kris Miles) and Conrade (Jarrith McCoy), are excellent examples of the over-exaggeration used by Grassroots to both honor the slapstick side of Tudor theater and clearly distinguish antagonists; if a pair of hook hands, an incorrectly-worn eyepatch, and black clothing don’t exemplify an “obtuse bad guy,” I’m not certain what would.
The Grassroots Shakespeare Company is always a delight, and this production of Much Ado About Nothing at the SCERA in Orem is of equal caliber to their other work. Any show done by them is sure to make you laugh, whether you’re six years old or sixty, the show is worth seeing. You will have a good time, understand the show, and laugh heartily.
The Grassroots Shakespeare Company presents Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare.
The SCERA, 745 State Street, Orem, Utah 84003
January 16-19, 2019 7:30 PM
Tickets $10-12
Contact: 801-225-ARTS
Salt Lake Masonic Temple, 650 E South Temple, Salt Lake City, Utah 84102
February 14-15, 2019 7:30 PM $15
Grassroots Facebook Page
Much Ado About Nothing Facebook Event
Much Ado About Nothing SLC Facebook Event
SCERA Facebook Page
0 Comments