"MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING"
A Comedy by
William Shakespeare

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SPRING PLAY 2008

• Directed by: Barbara Ridenour
• When: April 3, 4, 5
• Where: North Attic Playhouse
• Auditions: 4-6 p.m. Monday & Tuesday, Jan. 28-29, North Attic

AUDITIONS FOR THIS year's spring play, William Shakespeare's “Much Ado About Nothing,” will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. in the North Attic on Monday and Tuesday.

Students do not need to prepare anything in advance, but director Barbara Ridenour advises that familiarity with the plot and the characters would be helpful.

“I would like to see a person try showing a sense of character instead of simply reading the lines,” she said.

Ridenour also advises those who audition to show confidence and to speak up.

Students who audition need to be prepared to devote time to rehearsals, workdays, and performances.

Unlike many Uni plays, this one will employ a relatively large cast. There are 18 named characters, not including smaller roles such as messengers, watchmen, attendants, etc.

“I will probably cast around 20 [students] or so,” said Ridenour.

In addition, a few dancers, singers, and musicians may also be cast.

Rehearsal is scheduled to begin Feb. 4. The play will be staged in the North Attic on April 3, 4, and 5.

Generally considered one of Shakespeare’s best comedies, “Much Ado About Nothing” was originally published in 1600, when Shakespeare was nearing the middle of his career.

The story revolves around two sets of lovers: Beatrice and Benedick, and Claudio and Hero. Because of a series of misunderstandings, Claudio wrongly accuses Hero of cheating on him. Eventually, the two resolve their differences, and — like most of Shakespeare’s comedies — the play ends with a double wedding.

Ridenour chose this piece for Uni's spring production because she has long enjoyed the play. In addition, many other local theatrical groups will be performing Shakespeare’s works.

“Shakespeare is in the air this semester throughout the community,” explained Ridenour. “The U of I theatre department is doing several Shakespeare and Shakespeare-related plays. Parkland is doing a musical based on 'The Tempest,' and the Station Theatre is doing a show based on 'A Comedy of Errors.'”

Following the production of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” in 2000 and “As You Like It” in 2004, this will be the third Shakespeare play Ridenour has directed.