Much Ado About Nothing Opens Shakespeare in the Park's Season

The Public Theater's Shakespeare in the Park revival of Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing opened June 11 at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park. The new Kenny Leon-directed production, began performances May 21 and is set to run through June 23.

The cast of Much Ado About Nothing includes Jamar Brathwaite (ensemble), Brooks (Beatrice), Coleman (Benedick), Chuck Cooper (Leonato), Javen Crosby (ensemble), Denzel Fields (ensemble), Jeremie Harris (Claudio), Tayler Harris (ensemble), Erik Laray Harvey (Antonio, Verges), Kai Heath (ensemble), Daniel Croix Henderson (Balthasar), Tyrone Mitchell Henderson (Friar Francis, Sexton), Tiffany Denise Hobbs (Ursula), Lateefah Holder (Dogberry), LaWanda Hopkins (dancer), Billy Eugene Jones (Don Pedro), Margaret Odette (Hero), Hubert Point-Du Jour (Don John), Jaime Lincoln Smith (Borachio), Jazmine Stewart (ensemble), Khiry Walker (Conrade, ensemble), Olivia Washington (Margaret), and Latra A. Wilson (dancer).

Leon directs a production described as "a bold new take on Shakespeare's cherished comedy of romantic retribution and miscommunication, Much Ado About Nothing. In this modern production, we find the community of Messina celebrating a break from an ongoing war. But not all is peaceful amid the revelry, as old rivals engage in a battle of wits, unexpected foes plot revenge, and young lovers are caught in a tumultuous courtship — until love proves the ultimate trickster, and undoes them all."