Much Ado About Nothing

Head Trick Theatre presents Much Ado About Nothing at Roger Williams National Memorial

“Wildly entertaining… Hannah Heckman-McKenna and Christine Pavao have a sizzling chemistry as Benedick and Beatrice. Maxfield involves the audience in the shenanigans as invitations to Claudio and Hero’s wedding are handed out, and everyone is invited to dance with the characters at the reception. It all works splendidly…Shakespeare would no doubt approve.” —Edge Media Network

“Sigh no more, ladies, sigh no more, Men were deceivers ever…” Sparring lovers Beatrice and Benedick are tricked into falling for each other in Shakespeare’s classic battle of wits, set against the backdrop of a darker story of romantic betrayal and prejudice. The return of the soldiers from war heralds two things: the resumption of a less life-and-death “merry war” between the witty Benedick and her equally witty ex Beatrice, and a fairytale engagement between Claudio and Hero. What better way to pass the time before the wedding than by setting their old friends up? Sometimes even very clever people will believe anything they hear…

“Head Trick is returning to its roots with a classic Shakespeare in the park…[Beatrice and Benedick’s] budding relationship is a delight to watch develop from their war of wits to begrudging confessions of love [and] this genderbending further improves on an already much-beloved couple.” —Motif Magazine

Part of Head Trick’s 2018-19 season, “Making a World”

MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING

by William Shakespeare
directed by Rebecca Maxfield
Performed July 27—August 12 at Roger Williams National Memorial

  • BENEDICK…..Hannah Heckman-McKenna
  • BEATRICE…..Christine Pavao
  • HERO…..Valearie Kane
  • CLAUDIO…..Geoffrey Besser
  • DON PEDRO…..Devon Andrews
  • LEONATO…..David Adams Murphy
  • DOGBERRY…..Stuart Wilson
  • DON JOHN…..Ibrahima Tylar Jahumpa
  • MARGARET…..Gabriella Sanchez
  • URSULA…..Ricci Mann
  • BORACHIO…..Kevin Thibault
  • CONRADE…..Kerri Lamothe
  • VERGES…..Amy Thompson
  • FRIAR FRANCIS…..Yunus Quddus
  • BALTHAZAR/FIRST WATCHMAN…..Sherry Romanzi
  • SEXTON/SECOND WATCHMAN…..Krystal Hall
  • Violin…..Christine Warren
  • Guitar…Sherry Romanzi
  • Original Music for “Sigh No More” by Corinne Wahlberg

Photos by Samantha Gaus