The latest presentation from Emporia State University Summer Theatre took to the stage Thursday evening, but will be out on the front lawn for the remainder of its run.
Much Ado About Nothing, the second production in the summer theatre series, opened Thursday evening inside Beach Music Hall due to rainfall throughout the evening; however, the play, regarded as one of the best comedies in the thespian world, written by William Shakespeare, will continue its run outside of Beach through the remainder of the weekend. The production tells the story of two couples whose relationships form in very different ways, and members of the cast and crew of the production joined KVOE’s Morning Show Thursday to discuss the performance.
Director Dennis Turney says the show was the first of its kind and the precedent for what we now know as the common formula for romantic comedies.
While written for the Elizabethan period, Turney says he made sure the show maintained the era’s classic language while modernizing its visual component.
Playing the role of Benedick in the show is Jordan Newland, who says the language and atmosphere were what stood out to him immediately.
Playing the role of Beatrice, Benedick’s love interest, is Emporia State alumna Taylor Bisbee, who says she was honored to make a return to the stage and to do so in a work written by the Bard himself.
Much Ado About Nothing will continue its run through the remainder of the weekend with performances Friday, Saturday and Sunday. All performances will begin at 7:30 pm with tickets costing $15 for adults and $10 for seniors, Theatre Guild members and ESU staff and faculty.
ESU students with a valid student ID will receive free admission. For tickets and showtime information, visit emporia.link/theatre-tickets.
