Funk It Up About Nothin’ to Premiere at Chicago Shakespeare Theater

Chicago Shakespeare Theater, which recently won the 2008 Regional Tony Award, will present the world premiere of Funk It Up About Nothin’, an “ad-rap-tation” of Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing in the Carl and Marilynn Thoma Theater, June 25-August 3.

From the minds behind The Bomb-itty of Errors, the show opens on international hip-hop superstars MC Don Pedro and his crew as they emerge victorious from their long tour with a record number of rap battles. With a live DJ, Shakespeare’s romantic comedy is transformed into a hip-hop celebration.

The cast will feature creators/directors GQ and JQ, Jackson Doran, and Elizabeth Ledo. The remaining cast will be announced at a later date. The design team will include Brian Sidney Bembridge (set design), Debbie Baer (costume design), and Ryan Davies (lighting design).

Since the success of The Bomb-itty of Errors, seen onstage at CST in 2002, GQ and JQ have committed themselves to translating the complete works of William Shakespeare into the hip-hop idiom.

For more information, call 312-595-5600 or visit chicagoshakes.com.