
This bold interpretation of Shakespeare’s comedic masterpiece features Danielle Brooks (“Orange is the New Black,” Broadway’s “The Color Purple”) and Grantham Coleman (“Buzzer,” “The Americans”) as the sparring lovers Beatrice and Benedick. Tony Award winner Kenny Leon (“American Son,” “A Raisin in the Sun”) directs with choreography by Tony Award nominee Camille A. Brown (“Choir Boy”). Set in contemporary Georgia with an election race underway, Great Performances: Much Ado About Nothing finds the community of Messina celebrating a break from an ongoing war, but not all is peaceful amid the merriment. Former rivals battle it out, revenge is sought and trickery runs amok in this timeless comedy of romantic retribution and miscommunication. Earning a New York Times Critic’s Pick, the play was recorded during its final weekend of Free Shakespeare in the Park performances, June 22-23, 2019.
Ratings
3.5
Cast

Danielle Brooks
Beatrice

Grantham Coleman
Benedick

Chuck Cooper
Leonato

Erik LaRay Harvey
Antonio/Verges
Kai Heath
Messenger
Jamar Brathwaite
Ensemble

Jeremie Harris
Claudio

Daniel Croix Henderson
Balthasar

Tyrone Mitchell Henderson
Friar Francis/Sexton

Tiffany Denise Hobbs
Ursula

Lateefah Holder
Dogberry

Billy Eugene Jones
Don Pedro

Margaret Odette
Hero

Hubert Point-Du Jour
Don John

Jaime Lincoln Smith
Borachio
Khiry Walker
Conrade/Ensemble

Olivia Washington
Margaret
Crew
Theatre Play
Director
Choreographer
Producer
Production Design
Costume Design
Lighting Design
Sound Designer
Music Arranger
Makeup & Hair
Fight Choreographer
Vocals
Details
Release Date
2019-11-22
Runtime
134 min
Original Language
English
Languages
Production Companies
The Public Theatre
The Public Theater (Oskar Eustis, Artistic Director; Patrick Willingham, Executive Director)
Thirteen
Great Performances
Countries
Genres
Comedy