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Sep. 5th, 2010 09:58 pmVery quickly I wanted to post about how abso-fucking-lutely spectacular the Shady Shakespeare version of "Much Ado (About Nothing)" was. Set in the 1940's and featuring a live band it was rather like seeing a period musical film version of the play...only live amidst the redwoods. Of course the show hinges on the Beatrice and Benedick and I can happily say the casting was brilliant. Particularly the show's Benedick, whose comic timing and delivery was just perfect.
I will say that at the beginning of the evening I had my doubts about the inclusion of the musical interludes. The singing wasn't all that strong and the song choices seemed a bit...forced. But soon enough the choices started working a whole lot better. Benedick's "I'm Going to Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter" was grand, and I loved Margaret's "What'll I Do?" but I have to admit Ursula's rocking rendition of "Bei Mir Bist du Schon" really brought the house down.
The costumes were just fantastic as well, including the Prince, Claudio and Benedick as fly boys and Beatrice in trousers (and a stunning green dress that elicited more than a few wolf whistles from the audience). Borachio being recast as a Russian was a bit odd at first but I have to admit I adored him by the end, particularly when the actor (still in character) threatened us with singing if we didn't put some money in the hat and then burst into "The Rainbow Connection".
But I honestly couldn't say which element of this version I liked the best, there were just so many fun touches, from Ursula's Brooklyn accent and constant aggrieved, "But I just got here!" to Dogberry and the Watch consisting mostly of Irish cleaning women. It was just an all round charming show and I'm so glad I got a chance to see it before it closed. Next season is "Henry V" and "Midsummer Night's Dream", I can hardly wait!
I will say that at the beginning of the evening I had my doubts about the inclusion of the musical interludes. The singing wasn't all that strong and the song choices seemed a bit...forced. But soon enough the choices started working a whole lot better. Benedick's "I'm Going to Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter" was grand, and I loved Margaret's "What'll I Do?" but I have to admit Ursula's rocking rendition of "Bei Mir Bist du Schon" really brought the house down.
The costumes were just fantastic as well, including the Prince, Claudio and Benedick as fly boys and Beatrice in trousers (and a stunning green dress that elicited more than a few wolf whistles from the audience). Borachio being recast as a Russian was a bit odd at first but I have to admit I adored him by the end, particularly when the actor (still in character) threatened us with singing if we didn't put some money in the hat and then burst into "The Rainbow Connection".
But I honestly couldn't say which element of this version I liked the best, there were just so many fun touches, from Ursula's Brooklyn accent and constant aggrieved, "But I just got here!" to Dogberry and the Watch consisting mostly of Irish cleaning women. It was just an all round charming show and I'm so glad I got a chance to see it before it closed. Next season is "Henry V" and "Midsummer Night's Dream", I can hardly wait!
