REVIEW: CSC’s MUCH ADO about Love and Laughter

By Liz Eichler

Cincinnati Shakespeare Company’s Much Ado About Nothing proves, once again, Kelly Mengelkoch can do anything. She sings, she dances, she acts. Audience have seen her play coy, confident, cocky, cunning and more. She dominates the well-oiled ensemble in CSC’s latest comedy, running April 12 – May 5, 2024. Directed by Jeremy Dubin, it straddles the line between tradition and updating very well, providing many laughs, and even audible tears on opening night. 

PLOT of CSC’s MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING

We first meet Beatrice (Mengelkoch), who lives with her uncle, the wealthy but generous vineyard owner Leonato (Barry Mulholland) and his daughter, Hero (Hannah Gregory). He is expecting his friend Don Pedro (Billy Chace), and a group of soldiers, including Claudio (Ray K. Soeun). Claudio immediately falls in love with Hero and Don Pedro helps to arrange their marriage. 

Benedick (Geoffrey Warren Barnes II), who also came with the group, can’t understand why Claudio wants to marry, extolling bachelorhood. He spars constantly with Beatrice, an equal in wit. Meanwhile, Don Pedro’s half-brother Don John (Beasley) also traveling with them, plots to ruin Claudio and Hero’s wedding by damaging Hero’s reputation and making Claudio believe she is unfaithful. Just for laughs, and perhaps to assuage the chip on his/their shoulder.

Benedick’s friends believe he and Beatrice are a perfect pair. With the help of Hero and Leonato, they do some matchmaking, through planting the idea that Beatrice is in love with Benedick and vice versa.  Does it work? As this is a comedy, all ends well–with at least one wedding and plenty of song, dance and red, red wine. 

THEMES

Masked by the laughs, there are some themes shocking to a modern audience. Social misogyny is hammered. Women had no place in this society without a husband. Female purity is required–or death. And Beatrice, confident and witty as she may be, needs a man to ultimately be happy, Shakespeare writes. CSC’s interpretation adds layers to Don John’s “bastard” status. Imagine the chip you’d have on your shoulder if you were always referred to as “less than?” Thank goodness these ancient ideas have been eradicated, right?

PERFORMANCES in CSC’s MUCH ADO

Menglekoch as Beatrice, is someone you’d want to hang out with. She has earned social respect and is quite magnetic, despite being unmarried. Barnes’ Benedick is also witty, and he has the comedic skills to get the audience rolling. (The barrel scenes are especially funny.) Soeun’s Claudio has the bearing of is a handsome prince, underlined in his wedding clothing. I am looking forward to seeing more from him, as he always makes interesting choices. 

Dubin plants a clever piece of business when Don John throws wine bottles. He underlines his/their lack of respect for a guest house, and his/their general angst.

But, inner “groundlings” all, we love the antics of the Prince’s Watch. Featuring Cary Davenport, Gina Cerimele-Mechley (a really wonderful Friar as well), Mierka Girten and Courtney Luciene, director Dubin milks the scenes for every laugh. Squeezing them into the tightest of spaces, the physical comedy is a hoot. 

Other great contributions made to the ensemble are from Billy Chace (always happy to see this master comic in the cast), the reliably funny Patrick Earl Phillips, Katie Mitchell, and Jason Pavlovich (in his Debut season).

DESIGN 

Set in a lucious wine estate, it is reminiscent of any wine making region–complete with ripe vines in the audience, but we are in Messina, in Sicily. The working bar on stage is staffed with actors and is open pre-show! Purchase a glass from them and get immersed in the experience. Scenic Designer Samantha Reno’s set is beautiful and functional, allowing for a lot of climbing up balconies and sliding down the roof. With a swing and lusciously rich flora, her colors reflect love in bloom and levity. Sound Designer Jason Sebastian  helps provide the fauna as we hear cats and birds to comedic effect.  Costume Designer Rainy Edwards  has crafted rich Italian Countryside Renaissance styles, which move beautifully. Lighting Designer Nina Agelvis keeps everything warm and bright.

Music Director Courtney Lucien, along with Davenport, add the ballads (both old and new). The ending curtain call still needs some oomph, though. 

OVERALL 

CSC’s Much Ado is Shakespeare’s bread and butter.  It is entertaining–and easy to understand why the bard still hits.  Get your tickets at CSC’s Box Office. Much Ado plays through May 5.