The Public's Much Ado About Nothing (2019)

Plot Summary

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.

Full Cast & Characters

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

Director & Crew

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