Telluride Theatre: “Much Ado About Nothing”

14 Jul Telluride Theatre: “Much Ado About Nothing”

Telluride Theatre’s “Shakespeare in the Park” features “Much Ado About Nothing.” Directed by Anthony Luciano. Open Saturday, July 19 through Saturday, July 26. Rain or shine. (No show Wednesday, July 23). Show time is 8 p.m. Tickets here.

What might be Shakespeare’s most contemporary play, “Much Ado About Nothing” is the prototype for the modern romantic comedy. A story about two sets of lovers: one that loves impetuously and too young; the other that loves guardedly and in denial. They give themselves away too quickly – or refuse to give themselves away at all. Love comes at a great cost for these four and comes about in the most unlikely ways. Shakespeare’s genius is in noting that love requires a sense of humor – but cannot be sustained without sacrifice, trial and loss.

Underneath the comedy, “Much Ado About Nothing” is a story about men coming back from war. These are men who quickly learn their friendships on the field don’t translate to the world at home and that the world they knew before the war is not the same as the one they are returning to. It’s a story of a country adjusting to a new political reality, a reality that is made up of instability, mistrust and a vastly weakened national leadership. It’s a story of a divided nation and the dangers this wreaks on the lives of even its most privileged citizens.

The setting is not unlike our own country today. A nation in transition, a cautious sigh and celebration as we come out of a decade of war while facing down an ever-changing and destabilizing world. Yes, our performance takes place in a world that looks very much like our present day. A 2014 of Shakespeare’s making, with a revivalist Gypsy Swing Band, press conferences and two cynical lovers that suit our time far better than any other. A comedy for sure, but in this divided age, the laughs don’t come easy.

Shakespeare in the Park is a 23-year Telluride tradition of celebrating the Bard in a beautiful outdoors. There is nothing like the spectacular setting of Telluride’s Town Park, and seeing a play right on the stage brings audiences into the heart of the action.

Original Music By – Ethan Hale

The Band – Ehren Borg, Denman, Ethan Hale,

Lighting by Tree Priest

Set Design by Scott Harris

Costume Design by Melissa Harris

Stage Manager  – Annie Tadvick

Featuring – Ashley Boling, Peter Chadman, Gabby Chamberlain, Sarah Chev, Sarah Efthim, Layna Fischer, Ethan Hale, Buff Hooper, Linda Levin, Peter Lundeen, Evan MacMillan, Dalton Metz, Simon Perkovich, Colin Sullivan, Annie Tadvick and James Van Hooser

About the director:

Anthony Luciano comes to the mountains from the savage borderlands of San Diego. He has allegedly been seen at Trinity Repertory Company, The Actors Theatre of Louisville, La Jolla Playhouse, The Berkshire Theatre Festival and many others. He served as the Assistant Director for John Grisham’s “A Time to Kill” on Broadway and has been an Associate Artist with Richmond Shakespeare, a faculty member and resident artist with the New York Stage and Film/Vassar College Theatre Training Program and is a member of the Lincoln Center Directors Lab. Anthony holds an MFA in directing from UCSD.

Tickets:

Tickets, $15 for adults and $12 for children are available here or by calling 970-708-3934.