Much Ado About Nothing

If the Gamm's current production of William Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing is any indication, then the theater company's 25th anniversary season could turn out to be its most unforgettable.

The play Much Ado About Nothing is a refreshing reminder that the oft-tragic Shakespeare can actually be funny, and under the superb direction of Fred Sullivan, Jr., this spectacular interpretation is not only amusing, but clever and compelling, as well.

With the victorious end of the Second World War as a backdrop, scandal and rivalry are abound in the city of Messina, Italy, where Don Pedro (Steve Kidd) returns home from battle with fellow soldiers Claudio (Marc Dante Mancini), Benedick (Tony Estrella) and his brother, Don John (Kelby T. Akin).

Claudio soon meets Hero (Amanda Ruggiero), the daughter of governor Leonato (Sam Babbitt), instantly falls head-over-heels in love, and seeks Don Pedro's help to woo her. When the bitter, angry Don John learns of Claudio's engagement, he schemes to prevent the marriage from taking place by convincing the smitten soldier that Hero is a harlot.

Meanwhile, Hero's cousin, Beatrice (Jeanine Kane), develops a rapport of endless bickering with Benedick, in the spirit of both vintage and contemporary romantic comedies where the dueling couple of the opposite sex shares an apparent attraction for each other. The lords and ladies of both Benedick's and Beatrice's respective circles conspire to unite the unlikely duo as a couple, despite their vows to never marry.

As one would expect with Shakespeare, drama ensues, brought on by a misunderstanding stemming from a case of mistaken identity. Claudio falsely slanders Hero at the altar, Hero fakes her own death per order of the Friar, Don John flees Messina, and at Beatrice's request, Benedick challenges Claudio to a duel.

Although the courtship of the two youngsters, Claudio and Hero, is the cause of this chain of events, Beatrice and Benedick are the main characters of this work, and the actors who portray them are the stars who shine brightest in this production. Estrella and Keane, who played similar counterparts in the Taming of the Shrew, are primarily responsible for creating the light-hearted atmosphere on stage. Their impeccable chemistry and collective stage presence lends credibility to their budding romance and provides essential comic relief to an otherwise melodramatic--but no less engaging--storyline.

The appropriately understated set provides just enough detail, including the Bard's compulsory balcony, to execute the comings and goings (and occasional song) of this colorful cast, and there are plenty of hiding spaces, some unintentional, that further contribute to the antics on stage.

The entire ensemble, including the director, deserves praise for bringing this wonderful production together. Supporting players who deserve special mention are Babbitt as the conflicted Leonato, Kidd as mediator Don Pedro, and Tom Gleadow as the quintessential buffoon, Dogberry.

Much Ado at Gamm will leave you breathlessly anticipating its forthcoming season.

Much Ado About Nothing runs through October 4 and again in repertory with Romeo and Juliet from November 18-29 at the Gamm Theatre, 172 Exchange Street, Pawtucket. For tickets and show times, visit www.gammtheatre.org for more information.