Dates:
June 12-14, 19-21, 26-28;
July 24, 26;
Aug. 1, 28
Time:
8 p.m. Thurs. thru Sat.
Place:
Myriad Gardens Water Stage, Downtown Oklahoma City
Ticket Info:
$10 adults
$8 students/seniors
Tickets are available online (convenience charges may apply) and at the OSP Box Office beginning at 7 p.m. each night of the performances.
|
Dashing soldiers returning from battle stop at the estate of Leonato, where the young and impetuous Claudio falls for beautiful and wealthy, Hero. They rush into marriage. There is no such rush for long time bachelors Beatrice and Benedick whose love for verbal sparring entice their friends to plot a happy ending.
Much Ado About Nothing Synopsis
Much Ado About Nothing begins at the house of Leonato, a prominent gentlemen of Messina. Along with his niece Beatrice and the local Friar, they welcome a group of soldiers and old friends back. Among this group of soldiers is Don Pedro, the commanding officer, Claudio, a youthful count, Benedick, a wily misogynist, and Don John, Don Pedro’s recently-forgiven, formerly deceitful brother. Claudio quickly becomes smitten with Hero, Leonato’s only daughter. Seeing this, Don Pedro agrees to woo Hero in Claudio’s name. Beatrice and Benedick, Leonato’s niece, exchange verbal barbs hinting at a back story and mutual interest.
Don John and his two companions Conrade and Borachio reveal themselves as villains through a plot to disrupt the intended courtship. The whole group attends a masquerade party held by Leonato. While Don Pedro makes good on his word and woos Hero, Don John suggests to Claudio that Don Pedro woos for himself. Claudio quickly grows jealous before Don Pedro offers him Hero having succeeded in his original charge. Beatrice and Benedick continue to prod each other, this time disguised and feigning ignorance of each other’s identities. Don Pedro proposes to Beatrice, but is rejected. After she leaves, Don Pedro plots with the rest to trick Beatrice and Benedick into loving each other. Having failed in their previous attempt at villainy, Borachio concocts a new plan whereby he will pose with Margaret, Hero’s waiting gentlewoman, in a compromising position and reveal it to the newly-affianced Claudio as though it were Hero. Meanwhile, Don Pedro, Claudio, and Leonato act poorly at talking to each other about Beatrice’s love for Benedick, all within earshot of the hidden “tyrant to their sex.” By scene’s end, Benedick renounces his former behavior and proclaims his generosity in returning Beatrice’s affection.
Hero and Margaret play similar roles and speak of Benedick’s love for Beatrice while she hides in a nearby arbor. Beatrice, following suit, agrees that she will love Benedick as this new-found knowledge is revealed. While Benedick speaks to Leonato, Don John arrives to tell of Hero’s licentious behavior and bid Don Pedro and Claudio follow to see. Dogberry and Verges, two local police officers of questionable ability, instruct Seacoal to watch carefully around the property for mischief. Seacoal, in hiding, overhears a drunken Borachio and Conrade speak of their success in tricking Claudio and Don Pedro. Seacoal reveals himself and takes both into custody.
Leonato, ignorant of the night’s proceedings and their implications, tells Dogberry to question the two malefactors and return with his results. Meanwhile, during the wedding ceremony, Claudio slanders Hero’s reputation with words of lechery to which Don Pedro attests. Don Pedro, Claudio, and Don John leave as Leonato scolds his daughter rashly. Friar Francis objects, seeing innocence in Hero’s eyes. He suggests that the group proclaim Hero dead while they discover the truth of the accusations. After all depart, Benedick confesses his love to Beatrice. After returning these sentiments, Beatrice, sad for her cousin’s undoing, asks Benedick to kill his friend Claudio. Benedick agrees to challenge Claudio and continue the conceit of Hero’s supposed “death.” Meanwhile, Friar Francis and Dogberry listen as Seacoal recounts what he has heard. All leave as Conrade wounds Dogberry’s fragile self-image by hurling insults at him.
Don Pedro and Claudio, leaving town, cross paths with Friar Francis and Leonato. Leonato’s tells them of his daughter’s death. Righteously indignant, Don Pedro and Claudio ignore these crazed old men and pass them by. Benedick approaches Claudio and challenges his honor. As Benedick departs, Borachio and Conrade pass by in Dogberry’s custody. Claudio and Don Pedro learn of their wrong accusation as Leonato returns. In a gesture of kindness, Leonato suggests that the two mourn the loss of his daughter. Afterwards, he suggests that Claudio agree to marry Margaret. Claudio agrees and thanks him for this kindness. Benedick and Beatrice, now outwardly smitten with each other, learn that Hero has been found innocent. Claudio and Don Pedro hang epitaphs and speak a eulogy at Hero’s supposed tomb. The next day, they make good on their word and return to Leonato’s and to marriage. As Claudio agrees to marry the veiled Margaret, she removes the veil and is revealed as Hero. After celebration, Benedick and Beatrice outwardly disavow their love for each other. Hero and Claudio reveal letters they found, written by Benedick and Beatrice, each speaking their true feelings for each other. After a moment’s wordplay, they agree to love each other. As they celebrate, Dogberry enters to report that Don John has been found and is returning to Messina for punishment.
|
