OGDEN — Weber State Theatre delivers an upbeat and soulful take on Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing where classic wit meets the electric madness of Mardi Gras. Directed by Dr. Dawn Monique Williams, this beloved romantic comedy proves that even the most stubborn hearts can learn to dance to a new beat and fall in love. Set in the modern day New Orleans French Quarter this jazzy production brilliantly heightens the trickery and deceit Shakespeare so carefully crafted in this engaging show.
Editor’s Note: Production Photos have not yet been received by UTAJ. When they are, they will be added to this review. Photos can be provided through this form.
The most distinguishing aspect of Weber State’s production is the Mardi Gras flair. Scenic Designer Aisha Garcia created a beautiful set with a gallery balcony looking over a courtyard with a large circular fountain. The detailed French Quarter-style metalwork, the painted brick set, and the many potted and hanging tropical plants were stunning and picturesque, creating a very romantic setting.
Much Ado About Nothing features two stubborn characters with sharp tongues and brilliant wit: Beatrice and Benedick. Each has sworn to never marry and says that they despise the other. Beatrice’s cousin Hero and Benedick’s good friend Claudio fall in love quickly and a wedding is set for a few days. While planning the wedding, their friends realize the two are perfect for each other and set a trap to make them fall in love. Benedick overhears Don Pedro, Leonato, and Claudio telling each other that Beatrice is madly in love with him, as Claudio states, “She loves him with an enraged affection,” and “She says she will die itself if he woo her.” Meanwhile, Beatrice later overhears her friends saying that “Benedick is sick in love with Beatrice.” After hearing these statements, Benedick and Beatrice each take a moment of internal reflection and realize they do have feelings for each other.
Starring in the show are Chloe Warnas as Beatrice and Beckham Westenskow as Benedick. The two perform with great onstage chemistry showing their sly wit and twinkles in their eyes as they bicker and tease. Warnas expertly portrayed Beatrice’s obstinate nature and fierce independence as she declares, “I had rather hear my dog bark at a crow than a man swear he loves me.” Westenskow boldly declares, “I will do myself the right to trust none… I will live a bachelor.”
A true comedic highlight of the first act happens after Benedick overhears his friends. Westenskow is exasperated in unbelief as he declares, “This can be no trick!” Beatrice is then sent to fetch him for dinner, leaving the two alone for the first time as the scheme begins. With glaring annoyance, Warnas declares, “Against my will I am sent to bid you come in to dinner.” Westenskow brilliantly captures the delusion of Benedick hilariously twisting Beatrice’s words into a deeply coded romantic invitation.
Claudio, played by Zack Allred, is a handsome young man who falls quickly in love with the fair maiden Hero, played by Emma Young. His heartfelt lovesickness is felt as Allred declares, “Can the world buy such a jewel?” Westenskow jokingly replies, “Yea, and a case to put it in.” Young plays Hero with innocence and grace while also having a playful side, showing she is willing to join in the trickery of Beatrice. Young declares with a gleeful, mischievous grin after tricking Beatrice, “Some Cupid kills with arrows, some with traps.” Allred also shows Claudio’s temperamental side when stomping down the stairs, sulking and sad at the thought of Don Pedro wooing Hero for himself.
Don Pedro, played by Christian Redmond, is a commanding leader with clever banter who states, “I shall see thee, ere I die, look pale in love.” Redmond gleams with a sly grin as his shenanigans play out in the garden while Claudio, Leonato, and he described their exaggerated story of Beatrice’s love for Benedick.
The play’s tone changes drastically after intermission with tense moments of accusation and slander as Claudio publicly condemns Hero for acts she did not do. Braxton Burton plays Leonato, Hero’s father, with jovial joy during the Mardi Gras scenes and heartbreaking sadness during these accusations. His own denouncement of his daughter is crushing as he believes the lies of Hero falling from her infallible pedestal.
This shift in tone completely breaks from the jubilee of the Mardi Gras energy and plummets into a heart-heavy drama. Warnas shows more depth of character as Beatrice when she fiercely protects Hero. Warnas passionately declares, “Oh that I were a man! I would eat his heart in the marketplace,” wishing Beatrice could challenge Claudio to a duel avenging Hero’s dishonor. However, feeling helpless, Warnas transitions saying, “I cannot be a man with wishing, therefore I will die a woman with grieving.” Love is put to the test as Benedick agrees to stand by Beatrice and challenges his good friend Claudio to a duel.
Sara Winkler delivers a comedic delight as Dogberry, the lower-class, crass captain of the night watch. Winkler’s comedic relief was quite disruptive compared to the more genteel characters, but Dogberry becomes cheerfully heroic in accidentally saving the day and apprehending Borachio during his confession to Conrade. With a boisterous and absurd meltdown, Winkler’s deadpan performance desperately proclaimes, “O that I had been writ down an ass!” creating a resounding comedic highlight lifting the production out of its dark turn. All turns out well in the end as Hero is exonerated when this more malicious trap is brought to light.
Aspen Michelle Cambrie anchors the musical landscape of the show as Balthasar, reimagined as a 1940s military jazz singer. Cambrie is accompanied by a live jazz trio consisting of Nathan Duncan (Trombone), Mokesaut Spotted Elk (Saxophone), and Katie Lewis Higbee (Violin), performing original music composed by Jen Jackson. Jackson’s compositions cleverly use Balthasar’s dialogue along with other lyrics from Shakespeare and even modern songs. The live band brings a kinetic energy and the revelry of jazz music standing out as something uniquely brilliant and exceptionally special.
Costumes design by Fan Zhang is bright and colorful, especially during the Mardi Gras party. One costume of note was Beatrice’s Mardi Gras costume which is beautifully detailed with colorful purple, green, and gold chevron stripes. Her tulle skirt was striped in Mardi Gras colors, and her purple chiffon sleeves add a beautiful puffed flair.
While the Mardi Gras theme worked really well with the masked hiding and trickery of the script, the exact time period of the setting is muddled. While some characters are dressed in modern clothing, others left me guessing if it was set in the postwar ’40s, ’50s, or even ’70s. The historic French Quarter of New Orleans is timeless and the set does use electric lighting; however, it really left no other clues as to an exact era.
Overall, the production is an exhilarating success full of laughter and delight. Much Ado About Nothing at Weber State University beautifully proves how Shakespeare’s sharp wit can pair perfectly with a live New Orleans beat. The festive adaptation provides a heart stirring reminder that even the most stubborn hearted cynics can learn to drop their defenses, dance to a new rhythm, and fall in love.
MORE INFO: Much Ado About Nothing at Weber State University plays this week November 11-14th at 7pm with a matinee on November 14th at 2pm. The performance on Thursday, November 12th features an ASL interpretation. All performances are in the Allred Theatre at the Val A. Browning Center on the Weber State University Campus (3950 West Campus Dr., Ogden, UT). Tickets are $15-$19. For more information see https://www.weber.edu/theatre/.
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