Stage Right Presents: William Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing
When I was asked last season if I would like to do another Shakespeare play on the Crighton stage, I jumped at the chance. I have, in the past, directed The Tragedy of Macbeth and The Taming of the Shrew, among others there. It has been a long time since the Crighton has seen a Shakespeare production and it will be the first one for Stage Right. I wanted to have some fun! I wanted to present a comedy. I chose one of my absolute favorites: Much Ado About Nothing!
This classic comedy follows Leonato, his brother Antonio, daughter Hero, and niece Beatrice at his estate in Messina, Italy. Their friends and countrymen return from “the wars” and decide to stay at Leonato’s estate for fellowship and rest. The prince, Don Pedro is the leader of the fleet and is always in the company of his old friend Benedick, and his new young friend Claudio. Rounding out the fleet is Don Pedro’s not-so-nice half brother Don John and his henchmen, Borachio and Conrade.
Benedick and Beatrice resume their years long bickering and wit-cracking much to the amusement of the others. Claudio and Hero fall in love and plan a very rapid wedding. The men and women decide to trick Benedick and Beatrice into falling in love with each other. Meanwhile, Don John and his minions create mischief with the wedding. Rumors, confusion, and chaos ensue with all parties and the fun begins!
I have been directing and acting on the Crighton stage for many years and recently took over as executive director as well. I am very excited for this cast! It is made up of a lot of old friends and cool, new faces as well. Benedick is played by Stephen Sampson who is new to our area after studying acting at Emerson College in Boston and we are so glad he is with us. Morgan Tyler takes on the role of Beatrice. Morgan is recently back in this area after living awhile in Los Angeles. There are some familiar faces, too. Allan McFarlane is Don Pedro, Johnny Barton as Antonio, Hallie Teague as Hero, Ian Montez as Claudio, and the always hilarious and entertaining, Sean K. Thompson as Dogberry. Quint Bishop as the friar, Chelsea Johnson as the Sexton, Roger Ramirez as Don John, and Carlos Soto as First Watchman are more favorites you will enjoy seeing again in this delightful comedy.
We are also having a lot of fun with the newly married Jennifer and Robert Bowlin. Jennifer is playing Ursula. She is a teacher and a new member of the Stage Right board of directors and Robert is excited to make his acting debut as Second Watchman.
Besides Johnny Barton pulling double duty in this production with the role of Antonio and the heading up our set construction, we have a few others pulling double duties as well. Matthew Johnson will delight us in the role of Borachio and he is serving as my assistant director as well and proving himself invaluable. Rounding out our cast and team is Jeff Barnes. Jeff has recently returned to Conroe where he is opening a design store with his mother downtown. He is the set designer for this show and is also playing the gentleman, Conrade.
Stage Right of Texas presents William Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing showing April 7-23 on Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 pm and Sundays at 2pm. Tickets available at the Crighton Theatre website at www.crightontheatre.org or at the Crighton Theatre box office Tues – Thurs from 3-6pm at 234 N Main St in Conroe or by phone at