• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Newcity Stage

Theater, Dance, Comedy and Performance in Chicago

  • Newcity
    • Newcity Network
    • Best of Chicago
  • Art
  • Brazil
  • Design
  • Film
  • Lit
  • Music
  • Resto
  • Stage
    • About Newcity Stage
    • Currently Running Shows

Review: Much Ado About Nothing/Chicago dell’Arte

September 13, 2010 at 3:59 pm by Zach Freeman

by Zach Freeman
September 13, 2010September 14, 2010Filed under:
  • Recommended Shows
  • Theater
  • Theater Reviews

RECOMMENDED

Depending on the way the five acts of Shakespeare’s “Much Ado About Nothing” are cut, after a first half dominated by light verbal snipings and high spirits, audiences typically return from intermission to a surprisingly dark sequel. Though Chicago dell’Arte’s production is no exception, director Nick Freed has found the comedy in even the darkest scenes—when Benedick quips “This looks not like a nuptial” during the distressing wedding scene, he spins it into a subtle reminder that despite some grim underpinnings, “Much Ado” falls squarely into the comedy genre.

With the simple set design in the compact space at RBP Rorschach and the intentional lack of props, the majority of the show’s success rides on the able shoulders of the strong cast, particularly the affable trio of Claudio (Aaron Kirby), Don Pedro (Jack Birdwell) and Benedick (Ned Record)—portrayed as a war photographer (a lover not a fighter, in other words). Though the show has a few hiccups—a photography theme distracts more than it adds and a gimmick with sock puppets falls flat—Chicago dell’Arte’s “Much Ado About Nothing” is refreshing and funny without glossing over the script’s inherent darkness. (Zach Freeman)

“Much Ado About Nothing” plays through September 25 at RBP Rorschach, 4001 North Ravenswood, (773)530-1040. $15.

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Email
  • More
  • Print
  • Tumblr
  • Google
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • Reddit
  • Pocket

Related

Tagged:
  • Chicago dell'Arte
  • Christopher Thies-Lotito
  • Jack Birdwell
  • Ned Record
  • Nick Freed
  • RBP Rorschach
  • William Shakespeare

Post navigation

Previous Post Sci Fi High: Redmoon creates “The Astronaut’s Birthday” on the MCA’s facade
Next Post Review: All Saints’ Day/Ruckus Theater

Primary Sidebar

Popular Stories

  • Thriving, Fighting, Surviving: The Words and Worlds of Playwright Ike Holter
    Thriving, Fighting, Surviving: The Words and Worlds of Playwright Ike Holter
  • Apprehensive Experience: A Review of Lettie at Victory Gardens Theater
    Apprehensive Experience: A Review of Lettie at Victory Gardens Theater
  • The Not-So-Carefree Life: A Review of Grand Hotel at Kokandy Productions
    The Not-So-Carefree Life: A Review of Grand Hotel at Kokandy Productions
  • Fake It 'Til You Break It: A Review of The Doppelgänger (an international farce) at Steppenwolf Theatre Company
    Fake It 'Til You Break It: A Review of The Doppelgänger (an international farce) at Steppenwolf Theatre Company
  • Separate and Surrounded: A Review of A Blue Island in the Red Sea at Collaboraction
    Separate and Surrounded: A Review of A Blue Island in the Red Sea at Collaboraction

Sign up for Newcity’s free email newsletter


Copyright Newcity Communications, Inc. © 2018

loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.