Prenzies offer a rough-and-tumble 'Much Ado'
By Julie Jensen, celtic@qconline.com
The Prenzie Players" rough-and-tumble production of Shakespeare"s "Much Ado About Nothing" at the Village Theater, Davenport, is theater-in-the-round, a more conventional format than they usually choose.
Directed by Stephanie Burrough, it played to a full house opening night.
The romantic comedy concerns the soon-to-be-wed Claudio and Hero, who conspire with Don Pedro, prince of Aragon, to trick their friends, the acid-tongued Beatrice and Benedick, into confessing their love for one another. The prince's brother, Don John (here it's a sister, Dona Jane), becomes jealous of both Don Pedro's power and his affection for Claudio, and plans to sabotage the coming wedding.
The play features Cait Bodenbender, who often directs Prenzie shows, as an actress in the role of Beatrice. Claudio is played by Charlie Saddoris, and Hero is played by Stephanie Moeller. Benedick is portrayed by Aaron Sullivan.
Don Pedro, played by Tracy Skaggs, offers to woo Hero in disguise as Claudio at a masked ball.
Margaret (played by Denise Yoder), a lady-in-waiting to Hero, and Borachio (Andy Lord) are discovered in a tryst at Hero"s bedroom window. He addresses her by her mistress"s name. When Claudio hears of it, he is furious. He arrives at the church for the wedding and denounces his bride-to-be, who weeps and faints. Friar Francis (also played by Andy Lord) suggests that word be put out that Hero has died.
A marriage does take place the next day, though, and when Claudio unveils his mystery bride, it"s Hero.
Benedick asks the friar to marry him and Beatrice, but then they have a quarrel. Only when poems they have written to each other are produced do they decide to tie the knot "out of sheer pity for one another."
Adam Michael Lewis is Leonato, governor of Messina and Hero"s father, and also plays a watchman. He brings great energy to the roles.
Jake Walker is Balthasar, a gentleman, and Dogberry, the Head Constable, who is definitely not a gentleman.
Stephanie Moeller is a charming Hero, and Tracy Skaggs is an assured Don Pedro.
Aaron E. Sullivan is imposing as usual in the role of Benedick, and Beth Woolley gets in some flashy punches as Dona Jane.
Matt Moody is funny in the watchman part and passionate as Antonio, Leonato"s older brother.
Anne Javaherian gets tossed around violently as Conrad, a gentleman soldier. She also plays Ursula, a lady-in-waiting to Hero.
Denise Yoder also plays Frances Seacoal, a sister to George Seacoal. She"s particularly hot in the masquerade scene.
Billy Marquess plays Verges, Headborough of the Watch.
Performances will be repeated at 8 p.m. Friday through Sunday, and tickets are $8, available at the door.