The Public's Much Ado About Nothing

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.

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 Balthasar

Tyrone Mitchell Henderson Friar Francis/Sexton

Tiffany Denise Hobbs Ursula

Lateefah Holder Dogberry

Billy Eugene Jones Don Pedro

Metadata from the source database.