Centuries before television created “Seinfeld,” which was often called a comedy about nothing, something similar was written by William Shakespeare. Its title, Much Ado About Nothing, may indeed sound like an episode of Jerry Seinfeld’s TV comedy. But this comedy is among Shakespeare’s most-produced works, and its currently touring Wisconsin state parks by the established Summit Players Theatre.
The company’s six actors – who are double-cast, triple-cast, and so forth – must recreate everyone in Shakespeare’s universe. How they manage this feat is a wonder. Within moments, a female actor may change costumes and appear onstage as a male character, or vice versa. And the “costumes” often consist of little more than a cape, a shawl, an apron or a hat (costumes designed by Amelia Strahan).
In this year’s show, for instance, three actors must appear briefly in the roles of soldiers. Their “hats” seem to consist of battered car hubcaps. Each hat is laced with a thong for tying under one’s chin. The soldier’s leader, a slow-witted village constable named Dogberry, doesn’t even get a real dog to wrangle. Instead, a forlorn-looking stuffed dog, looking like a refuge from the island of misfit toys, must turn Dogberry into an unlikely puppeteer during their scenes together.
Such scenes were greeted by howls of laughter from a preview crowd at Marquette University on June 9. Summit Players performs outdoors (except in extreme weather). The audience that night had set up its outdoor chairs and blankets on a grassy patch of lawn amid Marquette’s buildings.
Unlike its Marquette University preview, Summit should be able to stage future performances without the environmental sounds of the following: traffic noise from a nearby freeway, screeching seagulls circling overhead, and even the din of church bells. (However, the bells went off right on cue during the play’s final wedding scene.)
The plot of Much Ado follows the fate of two romances in Sicily. In one of them, a count (Claudio) falls in love with an innocent maiden (Hero). Later, Claudio is duped by the villainous Don John into questioning his love’s virginity. The maiden, when hearing of this, apparently falls into a fatal depression. Although a chastened Claudio agrees to marry her look-alike cousin in retribution, in the end it is Hero herself who emerges as the bride.
The play’s other romance is between Beatrice – a confirmed spinster – and Benedick – who claims he’ll always be a bachelor. The two bicker endlessly, and their saucy jousting is as enjoyable today as it was in Shakespeare’s time.
Unbeknownst to Beatrice and Benedick, some relatives and friends conspire to bring these two together. Inside a wooded glen, knowing that an unseen Benedick will overhear their conversation, they discuss how Beatrice is clearly in love with Benedick. They later play a similar game with Beatrice, claiming that Benedick is secretly pining for her. The plan works. Beatrice and Benedick agree that life will be better with each other. A double wedding is planned, and the scene ends with music and dancing (original music by Michael Nicholas, choreography by Nick Parrott).
Strong performances are turned in by the entire cast, led by Caroline Norton as Beatrice. She’s the only cast member who was part of Summit’s 2021 production, The Winter’s Tale. Also in 2021, Norton appeared in a Milwaukee Chamber Theater’s production of White Privilege, staged as part of the company’s Black Theater Festival. Her strong voice and expressive facial features give life to Beatrice in a production that lacks microphones and stage lighting. Her nemesis/admirer, Benedick, is played with gusto by George Lorimer. This newly minted intern from the Milwaukee Repertory Theater’s acting program also appeared in two of the Rep’s productions, 2021’s A Christmas Carol, and this year’s musical, Titanic.
As for the other couple, Emma Knott is a charming and innocent Hero. Knott also plays the unkempt, uncouth Dogberry, which allows her acting range to shine. Elsewhere in Milwaukee, she also appeared in the MCT production of White Privilege.
Her Claudio is played by King Hang, who has all the right moves as a man torn by conflicting passions. Hang also appeared in the 2021 Optimist Theater production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. As Don John, Maya Danks impresses with her creation of this slithery villain. Danks appeared earlier this year in Babel, produced by the Milwaukee-based theater, The Constructionists.
Actor Ogunde Snelling Jr. appears primarily as Don Pedro, Don John’s brother. Snelling also appeared earlier this year in the Milwaukee Rep production of Titanic.
Over the past seven years, Summit Players fans have come to expect a high standard of family-oriented entertainment from this youthful troupe. The company, directed by Maureen Kilmurry, delivers a high-energy performance within 75 intermission-less minutes.
All Summit performances are free, although donations are accepted afterwards. Theatergoers must bring their own chairs and/or blankets, plus snacks and drinks. Also, a state park pass is required before entering the grounds.
On a nice evening, there’s nothing more enjoyable than seeing Summit Players Theater perform under a canopy of spreading trees at a state park.
