What happens when Vietnam soldiers visit a hippy retreat looking for love? Join Butte College students, faculty, and volunteers as they bring Shakespeare’s original romantic comedy “Much Ado About Nothing” to the Butte College Black Box Theatre in the ARTS building on the main campus, 3536 Butte Campus Drive, Oroville.
“Much Ado About Nothing” opens Friday, April 27, 2018 at 7:30 pm., with additional performances Saturday, April 28 at 7:30 p.m., Sunday, April 29 at 2 p.m., Friday, May 4 at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, May 5 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, May 6 at 2 p.m.
Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for seniors/students. Tickets are available at the door or via: www.ButteDrama.com. For more information, call 530-895-2994 or email Director Jesse Merz at merzje@gregorybgallagher.com. Performances take place at the Butte College Black Box Theatre, Main Campus, ARTS Building, 3536 Butte Campus Drive, Oroville, CA 95965. This performance is recommended for ages 10 and up.
“Much Ado About Nothing” by William Shakespeare, follows the story of Beatrice and Benedick, two people who have sworn to never marry. Is their banter and repartee a sign of true love? Also, will Claudio woo his love, named Hero, or will Don John’s plan to thwart their marriage come to fruition? It also examines love and war and the price of gossip. This entertaining and funny Shakespeare play is sometimes referred to as “Shakespeare’s original romantic comedy.”
“Much Ado About Nothing” is written by William Shakespeare. Butte College’s production features a set by Robert Pickering, lighting by Michael Johnson, costumes by Lynne Schuepbach, stage management by Ashbrooke Hinkle, and directed by Butte’s Theatre Arts Instructor, Jesse Merz.
The cast includes:
The Hippies of Messina:
Leonata, Governor of Messina – Florence Ives
Innogen, his silent wife – Samantha Ross
Hero, his daughter – Bronwyn Allen
Beatrice, his Niece, an orphan – Abby Shaw
Antonia, an old woman, sister of Leonato – Julia Hoistad
Friar Francis – Shai Loring
Margaret, gentlewoman attendant upon Hero – Bailey Martin
Ursula, gentlewoman attendant upon Hero – Faith Stokes
Hippy Ensemble – Keasha Fuller
The Soldiers:
Don Pedro, Prince of Aragon – David Loperena
Benedick, a Lord of Padua – Jarrod Jackson
Claudio, a lord from Florence – Marcus Rutledge
Balthasar, singer, attendant upon Don Pedro – Ysabella Smith
A Boy – servant to Benedick – Alaina Gillett
Musician Soldier – Joaquin Toledo
The Night Watch:
Dogberry, Constable in charge of the Watch – Tim Hayes
Verges, Headborough accompanying Dogberry –Timothy Fitzpatrick
A Sexton – Keasha Fuller
Watchmen – Eric Blakenship, Macen Buis, Matthew Stone, Brenden Coffey, Joshua Skaug
The Business Folks:
Don John, illegitimate brother of Don Pedro – Joseph Slupski
Borachio, follower of Don John – Bryce Corron
Conrade, follower of Don John – Dillon Agnew
Business Folk Ensemble –WilliamTonge
Director Jesse Merz says, “performing Shakespeare is no small task, but the students of Butte College and area volunteers are bringing this language to life with joy and freedom! This show is dramatic, silly, intense and romantic. Your whole family will enjoy this performance.”
Photo Credit: Davin Schreindl.
Christian Gutierrez
Public Relations Officer
Butte College
3536 Butte Campus Drive
Oroville, CA 95965
Content editor:
Christian Gutierrez
530-895-2959
