Much
Ado About Nothing
by
William Shakespeare
Directed by Bonnie J. Monte
Critical
Reviews
 |
| Sherman Howard as the confirmed
bachelor Benedick in MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING. Photo ©
Gerry Goodstein. |
From
Variety
By
Robert L. Daniels
June
3, 2003
Opening its 41st
season, the Shakespeare Theater of New Jersey has dropped
its former "Festival" tag. Bonnie Monte, artistic
director for 13 years, thought the term misrepresented the
company as a short-term seasonal event, when the expansive
seven-play slate runs through December. Monte's attractive
production of Shakespeare's "Much Ado About Nothing"
boasts both comic vigor and enveloping romanticism.
Real-life spouses Donna Bullock and Sherman Howard engage
in a vigorous love-hate relationship as reluctant lovers Beatrice
and Benedick, who are duped into a wary but ultimately fervent
union. Howard...is a headstrong and virile Benedick; he's
especially amusing when hiding in the garden as his devious
chums reveal their plot to engage him into a dubious courtship.
Bullock is coyly assiduous as Beatrice, without being overly
shrewish, and she is a sweetly feminine sparring partner,
staunch and vibrantly warm. Their cautious, feisty spats boast
a spirited edge, and when true romance blooms, the first flush
is ardently conveyed.
Eric Hoffman is a blustery Dogberry, the local constable who
manages to fracture the English language with droll malapropisms
that are so casually dispensed they very nearly make sense.
Hoffman is genuinely funny, skirting the easy temptation to
ham it up. Director Monte has wisely avoided the accustomed
taste of slapstick here, letting the structural delight of
the Bard's comic lines tickle the viewer's fancy...
...There are a couple of genuinely funny bits by the doddery
old constable, played by Larry Swansen. It should be noted
that pretty Hannah Sherman, the daughter of Howard and Bullock,
makes her professional debut as a winsome maiden.
Monte has set the comedy at the tail end of the 18th century,
providing costume designer Frank Champa the opportunity to
dress the women in gorgeous period gowns and the gents in
slick military garb.
Leah Kreutzer has elegantly choreographed a courtly masked
ball. Tall cypress trees, a statuary and a small gazebo back
the spacious formal-garden set designed by James Wolk.
© Reed
Business 2003
|
