Baker's `Much Ado' makes even more out of minor characters
Much ado about something ...
Rice's student actors make a strong showing in this year's Baker Shakespearean Festival production of Much Ado About Nothing . Directed by Rice alumnus Rob Kimbro (Sid Richardson College '95), the play places emphasis on the traditionally less prominent characters in addition to the central figures of Beatrice and Benedick.
Amanda Allison does an excellent job in the role of the sharp-tongued Beatrice, equally capable of playing both anger and love scenes. While amusing in the earlier scenes, her character gathers power in the face of conflict, taking a firm stand rather than living for amusement.
Duke York plays Benedick, a jester turned grown man; he enacts both parts, blending them well. Throughout the course of the play, York successfully jokes, sacrifices and loves. Like Beatrice, Benedick gains reason and purpose in pivotal situations, changing from a player with much life and little purpose to a responsible, giving individual.
Another standout is Aaron Pierce in the role of Claudio, a central but quieter and understated role. Another subtle performance is given by Stacy Strehlow in the role of Hero, the innocent, wronged heroine. Her character is quite human, communicating more through physical than verbal means. Hero provides, in her quiet femininity, the perfect contrast to Beatrice.
Chappe Lockett convincingly portrays the pain of a father torn between love and disbelief in the role of Leonato, Hero's father. A victim of others' intentions, Leonato shows the audience that the effects of wrongdoing do not necessarily fall upon the transgressor.
Don John, played by Peter Rogers, really stands out. The Count is the archetype of evil, a veritable pillar of malice and depression. In a stage filled with the mild-mannered and well-intentioned, it was almost a relief to see a character so determined and pointed, a creator of fate rather than a pawn of circum- stance.
The spirit of the production does actually focus on specific characters but upon the interaction between the members of the cast. The anger of Innogen, Hero's mother, played by Noelle Berryman, at the slander of their daughter, the comic relief of the guards and the guiding forces of Don Pedro (Roger Chen) and Friar Francis (Stephen Katz) make this play come alive.
The spirit of the work is one of poetic justice and vitality, not tragedy. In Shakespeare's final lesson, virtue is rewarded and malice discovered, the world is just and the human spirit prevails.
Kimbro, on his choice of Much Ado , said, "It's so contemporary ... almost all of the comedy in this show endures and reads perfectly well today. The thing that strikes me about the show is that all of the characters, especially the principals, are fascinating. It's not a show with one or two roles that everyone wants to play. There are so many wonderful characters."
Much Ado About Nothing , which opened last night, will be showing in the Baker College Commons. It shows tonight through March 24 and also March 27-30. All shows start at 8 p.m., except for the matinee performance on the 24th, which will begin at 2 p.m. Ticket price is $4 for Rice students and $5 for the general public.
This item appeared in the Arts & Entertainment section of the March 22, 1996 issue.
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