Much Ado About Nothing
There will be a play. In the round. There will be music. There will be comedy, dancing, pies in the face, blood, and cupcakes.
Written by William Shakespeare, adapted by Jimmy Ludwig (Director)
Do you love gossip, hookups, trickery, heroes returning from the battlefield, secret loves revealed, partying, public humiliation, more partying, and madcap action? Then you'll LOVE William Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing! Set somewhere VERY close to home, join us at the Panowski Black Box theater for a full night of ribald fun!
The primary plot of Much Ado About Nothing turns on the courtship and scandal involving young Hero and her suitor, Claudio, but the witty war of words between Claudio’s friend Benedick and Hero’s cousin Beatrice often takes center stage.
Set in Messina, the play begins as Don Pedro’s army returns after a victory. Benedick, a gentleman soldier, resumes a verbal duel with Beatrice, the niece of Messina’s governor, Leonato. Count Claudio is smitten by Leonato’s daughter, Hero. After Don Pedro woos her in disguise for Claudio, the two young lovers plan to marry in a week. To fill in the time until the wedding, Don Pedro and the others set about tricking Benedick and Beatrice into falling in love with each other. Meanwhile, Don Pedro’s disgruntled brother, Don John, plots to ruin Hero and halt her wedding. Claudio believes Don John’s deception, is convinced Hero has a lover, and, at the wedding, brutally rejects her.
With Hero in hiding and falsely reported dead, Beatrice persuades Benedick to fight Claudio. Tragedy is averted when the bumbling city watch, having discovered Don John’s treachery, arrives and clears Hero’s name. With Claudio forgiven, both couples are ready to get married.
APPROXIMATE RUN TIME: 2HRS 15MINS | 15min Intermission
Upcoming Performances
- Thursday, February 20th, 2025 | 7:30 PM | Opening Night Party
- Friday, February 21st, 2025 | 7:30 PM
- Saturday, February 22nd, 2025 | 1:00 PM | Theatre For All
- Saturday, February 22nd, 2025 | 7:30 PM
- Thursday, February 27th, 2025 | 7:30 PM
- Friday, February 28th, 2025 | 7:30 PM
- Saturday, March 1st, 2025 | 1:00 PM
- Saturday, March 1st, 2025 | 7:30 PM
Ticket Prices
- General public: $25
- NMU Employees, Seniors and Military: $22
- Youth: $15
- NMU Students: $5
- Pay as You May (Theatre for All Shows Only): $0 (Donations Accepted)