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UofSC\u2019s Theatre and Dance department is showing \u201cMuch Ado About Nothing,\u201d a coming of age Shakespearean love story. The show will be directed by Dustin Whitehead, who is a new assistant professor of acting at the university this semester.<\/p>\n
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Shakespeare\u2019s \u201cMuch Ado About Nothing\u201d is coming to the Longstreet Theatre Friday with a new and modern twist.<\/p>\n
Director Dustin Whitehead, assistant professor of acting at the University of South Carolina, said \u201cMuch Ado About Nothing\u201d is a coming of age love story. Throughout the course of the story, two pairs of young adults fall in love and must overcome the trickery and obstacles put in their path by the villain.<\/p>\n
However, Whitehead\u2019s version of \u201cMuch Ado About Nothing\u201d doesn\u2019t take place in the traditional Shakespearean setting most audiences are familiar with. Instead, the iconic characters of Don Pedro, Beatrice, Benedick, Claudio and Hero navigate through deception and romance in the modern world of high art.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe were really trying to figure out what we want to do with this show and what we\u2019re trying to say,\u201d Whitehead said. \u201cWe thought that putting it in a modern setting would be more relatable to the majority of the audiences we have.\u201d<\/p>\n
The show\u2019s designers, choreographer, stage manager and cast have kept this modern twist in mind when making stylistic decisions.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe base a lot of the clothing on runway looks,\u201d said Ezri Fender, a sophomore theater major who portrays Hero in the play. \u201cThe clothing doesn\u2019t really make sense, but it doesn\u2019t matter, because it\u2019s high fashion.\u201d<\/p>\n
Her character, Hero, is an upper-class young adult, who has a dream of a \u201cfairytale\u201d love. Fender said she is similar to her character, because they are both on a journey to find themselves.<\/p>\n
Along with high fashion, the show will also include modern music and dance, changes in characters, and a shortened script.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe show is very gender-bender,\u201d said Kinzie Correll, a junior theater major portraying Conrad. This means some characters\u2019 genders have been changed from the original version.<\/p>\n
The modernization allows viewers to understand the play by adding new life to it while still honoring tradition.<\/p>\n
Fender said the audience might not be able to understand every single word, but they will be able to understand the tone, feelings and behaviors of the characters. Fender said she thinks watching the play will give viewers a better understanding of the meaning as opposed to reading it.<\/p>\n
Stage manager Lisa Gavaletz said she believes the changes in the play will either be loved right from the beginning or disliked.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a different take and I think that people will be surprised that Shakespeare can be more modern,\u201d Gavaletz said. \u201cI think it will open people\u2019s minds.\u201d<\/p>\n
Gavaletz also said the production of \u201cMuch Ado About Nothing\u201d was unique in that Whitehead treats the cast and crew as equals, which doesn\u2019t often happen in the theater. Gavaletz said Whitehead is very collaborative and likes to get ideas from everybody involved with the show.<\/p>\n
Whitehead said his favorite part of directing this show was the group he was working with, because everyone loves what they\u2019re doing and they\u2019ve all become close.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s an energy in the room that\u2019s special and we all know it,\u201d he said. “We’re all grateful for it and it’s helping to create something that’s really special for the audience.”<\/p>\n
Although the script was written in the 1600s, many of the themes and messages in \u201cMuch Ado About Nothing\u201d of love and relationship still apply to modern day.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think what happens in the play is very much still an issue we have today,\u201d said Fender. \u201cWe\u2019re afraid what people will say and think about us, which makes it very applicable to modern day.\u201d<\/p>\n
Whitehead said he hopes that the themes and messages of the show will inspire people to ask themselves where they stand when it comes to love and relationships.<\/p>\n
Correll said she encourages people to watch the show, even if they don\u2019t like Shakespeare, because the show is a spectacle, and Shakespeare is meant to be performed and watched instead of read.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you think you don\u2019t like Shakespeare, I promise you, we\u2019ll change your mind with the show,\u201d Whitehead said.<\/p>\n
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UofSC is one of the few universities that has a theatre-in-the-round, which is a stage surrounded by the audience on all sides. It allows for the audience to not only view the play, but watch as others react to the show as well.<\/p>\n
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