Cast List (in order of appearance)
Leonata - Violet Grossman
Messenger - Kaidence Martinez
Beatrice - Kelsey Fecht
Hero - Juliet Erekson
Don Pedro - Eve Barman
Benedick - Fox Roberts-Zibbel
Claudio - Liam Rogel
Don John - Owen Close
Borachio - Nic Fecht
Conrad - Hunter Durand
Margaret - Lylabelle Kleman
Ursula - Huxley Beard
Verges - Devin Rogel
Dogberry - Zola Barnhill
First Watchman Seacole - Aurora Zientek
Second Watchman Oatcake - Kameri Green
Third Watchman - Kaidence Martinez
Fourth Watchman - Carina Motisher
Fifth Watchman - Kizzey Wilson
Friar - Carina Motisher
Sexton - Kizzey Wilson
Household Staff, Soldiers, Party Guests, Wedding Guests, and others - Zola Barnhill, Hunter Durand, Nic Fecht, Kameri Green, Kaidence Martinez, Carina Motisher, Devin Rogel, Kizzey Wilson, Aurora Zientek
Technical Team
Director - Cassie Greenlee
Stage Manager - Liz Robertson
Deck Crew - Liz Robertson, Asher Dielman
Light Board Operator - Greta Chung
Costumes - Cassie Greenlee, Anne Close, Elizabeth Roberts-Zibbel, CTW Costumes
Set Builders - Liz Robertson, Kelsey Fecht, Nic Fecht, Kameri Green, Greta Chung, Arianna Chung
Set Painters - Liz Robertson, Asher Dielman, Kelsey Fecht, Hunter Durand, Kameri Green, Aurora Zientek, Kizzey Wilson
Special Thanks to
Chase Greenlee
Pat Mahood
Trina Tipping
Andy Roberts
Corbin Wells
Harley Partlow
BG Independent
Clint Corp and the Morning Show
Deonia Ezell, Judy Guion-Utsler, Stacy Kerr, Carol Lennox, and First United Methodist Church
Parent and Family volunteers
Emma Thompson, Kenneth Branagh, Catherine Tate, David Tennant, Amy Acker, Alexis Denisof, and every other iteration of Beatrice and Benedick that has kept my love for this show alive
Scenes
Act 1
Scene 1 - Leonata’s entryway
Scene 2 - A room in Leonata’s home
Scene 3 - Leonata’s ballroom
Scene 4 - Leonata’s ballroom
Scene 5 - Leonata’s conservatory
Scene 6 - Leonata’s conservatory
Scene 7 - Leonata’s entryway
Scene 8 - A street
There will be a fifteen minute intermission
Act 2
Scene 1 - Hero’s room
Scene 2 - Leonata’s entryway
Scene 3 - Leonata’s ballroom
Scene 4 - An examination room
Scene 5 - Leonata’s entryway
Scene 6 - Leonata’s entryway
Scene 7 - Leonata’s entryway
Plot Synopsis
After a successful battle, Don Pedro brings his men, including close friends Claudio and Benedick, to stay for the holidays at the home of Leonata, governor of Messina. Claudio is determined to ask for the hand of Hero, Leonata’s daughter, despite admonitions from Benedick, a sworn bachelor, known for his wordplay, teasing jesting, and constant “skirmishes of wit” against Beatrice, Hero’s cousin.
Don Pedro encourages the marriage between Claudio and Hero and promises to help bring it about by posing as Claudio during a masquerade to woo Hero in Claudio’s name. Don Pedro also swears that he will see Benedick fall in love before the end of the holidays.
Don John, Don Pedro’s disgraced illegitimate brother, seeks revenge on the people he feels have wronged him, and works with his lackeys Borachio and Conrad to find a way to cause mischief and strife amongst his brother’s friends. They lie to Claudio and tell him that the Prince intends to woo Hero for himself, while Claudio initially believes, but the misunderstanding is later resolved, and Claudio is promised Hero's hand in marriage.
Meanwhile, Benedick and Beatrice have danced together, trading disparaging remarks under the cover of their masks. Benedick is stung at hearing himself described as "the prince's jester, a very dull fool", and rails against her to Don Pedro. Don Pedro concocts a plan with Claudio, Hero, Leonata, and Hero’s maids Margaret and Ursula, to trick Benedick and Beatrice into falling in love with each other.
Don Pedro, Claudio, and Leonata arrange for Benedick to overhear a conversation in which they declare that Beatrice is madly in love with him but too afraid to tell him. Hero, Margaret, and Ursula likewise ensure that Beatrice overhears a conversation in which they discuss Benedick's undying love for her. Both Benedick and Beatrice are delighted to think that they are the object of unrequited love, and both resolve to mend their faults and declare their love.
Meanwhile, Don John, with Borachio’s help, plot to stop the wedding, embarrass his brother, and wreak misery on Leonato and Claudio. Don John tells Don Pedro and Claudio that Hero is disloyal and arranges for them to see his associate, Borachio, enter her bedchamber and engage amorously with her, though it is actually Margaret, who Borachio has manipulated and tricked into helping them. Claudio and Don Pedro are duped, and Claudio vows to humiliate Hero publicly.
On the night of Don John's treachery, the local Watch overhear Borachio and Conrade discussing their treason and arrest them. However, the ineptitude of the head constable, Dogberry, means that Leonata is not informed in time to stop Claudio from humiliating her.
At the wedding, Claudio denounces Hero before the stunned guests and storms off with Don Pedro. Hero faints. The presiding friar, believing Hero innocent, suggests that the family fake Hero's death to fill Claudio with remorse and save Hero’s reputation and the planned wedding. Prompted by the stressful events, Benedick and Beatrice confess their love for each other. Beatrice then asks Benedick to kill Claudio as proof of his devotion. Benedick hesitates but is swayed. Leonata blames Claudio for Hero's supposed death and threatens him, to little effect. Benedick arrives and challenges him to a duel.
Dogberry and the watch, while examining Borachio and Conrad, obtain a confession and inform Leonata of the proof of Hero's innocence, and the truth is communicated to all. Remorseful and believing Hero dead, Claudio agrees to her mother's demand that he marry Leonata’s niece, "almost the copy of my child that's dead".
After Claudio swears to marry this other bride, she is revealed to be Hero. Claudio is overjoyed. Beatrice and Benedick publicly confess their love for each other. Don Pedro taunts "Benedick the married man", and Benedick counters that he finds the Prince sad, and advises him to find a wife for himself. As the play draws to a close, a messenger arrives with news of Don John's capture, but Benedick proposes to postpone deciding Don John's punishment until tomorrow so that the couples can enjoy their newfound happiness. The couples dance and celebrate as the play ends.
Director’s Note
I love Much Ado About Nothing. It is my very favorite Shakespeare show. It is the perfect mix of hilarity and drama, shenanigans and treachery, conniving schemes and complicated plots for justice. It is a show of brilliant parallels that forces us to confront the question: What does it take for us to believe a story?
Lying abounds in this play. Don Pedro lies to Hero about being Claudio to woo her. Don John lies to Claudio about Don Pedro’s intentions. Don Pedro, Claudio, and Leonata lie to Benedick about Beatrice’s feelings for him, and Hero, Margaret, and Ursula lie to Beatrice about Benedick’s feelings for her. Borachio lies to Margaret about why he’s courting her. Don John lies to Claudio and Don Pedro about Hero’s loyalty. The Friar and Leonata’s household lie to everyone about Hero’s death, and Leonata lies to Claudio about this mystery niece he’s supposed to marry.
Some of these lies are clearly treacherous. Some of these lies are well-intentioned fun. Some of these lies are necessary to impart justice. But what each and every lie of this show has in common is that NO ONE DOUBTS THEM. Each and every lie is instantly believed without examination. The masterminds of the romantic scheme who believe themselves so clever are instantly taken in by a similar, more sinister, staged scene that someone tells them is true.
What does it take for us to believe a story?
It is telling to me that what cements the romance at the center of this play -- Beatrice and Benedick’s -- is not the lies or the schemes or the matchmaking plots. We see in the final scene that once they uncovered the trickery, they wouldn’t trust the feelings anymore, real or not. What cements their relationship is a commitment to speaking and revealing truth, even (or maybe especially) when doing so is a hard and complicated thing that requires standing up to friends and calling out lies and injustices where they are found.
Shakespeare wrote some bangers, guys, and I am constantly floored by how relevant these 400-year-old themes and stories still are. Enjoy this very funny play. Enjoy the shenanigans, as well as the heartfelt truths. And remember that it is always best to seek out the truth, however and wherever we can.
Cast Bios-
Aurora Zientek (Watchman Seacole) is an 11 year old 6th grader who attends Eastwood Elementary. She has been doing theatre for 6 years, for a total of 11 shows. Six of these were with HYT. She is most excited to be spending this time with her fellow castmate Kizzey and would like to thank Cassie for her continued support.
Carina Motisher (Friar Francis) is a 6th grade student at St. Aloysius. She has been doing theatre for 4 years. In this time she has done 10 shows, all but 1 being with HYT. She is excited to be the one who encourages Hero to fake her death (spoiler alert) and would like to thank everyone who made this show possible and her sister Calista for introducing her to theatre.
Devin Rogel (Verges) is a 7th grade student at Toledo School for the Arts. He has been doing theatre for 10 years and has 18 shows under his belt. He is most excited for the opportunity to do physical comedy in this role and would like to thank his mom for choosing his monologue for him.
Eve Barman (Don Pedro) is an 11th grade homeschooled student who also attends the University of Toledo. They have been doing theatre for 8 years and have been in 11 shows, though they also have extensive behind the scenes experience. They are very excited to fool around on stage and would like to thank Pip, Luna, and their Callum.
Fox Roberts-Zibbel (Benedick) is in the 11th grade and attends Ohio Virtual Academy K12. He has been doing theatre for 11 years and has completely lost count of the number of shows he has done, but he knows that all of them have been with HYT. He is excited to play such a dork of a guy. “He’s so annoying and I love playing those sort of characters,” he says. He also feels honored by the opportunity to portray this icon. He would like to thank his mom, his dad, and all of his incredible friends. Oh, and Tom Edge, of course. Love that guy.
Huxley Beard (Ursula) is in the 11th grade at Bowling Green High School. She has been doing theatre for 5 years and has been in 7, 3 of which have been with HYT. She is most excited to be working with new people in the cast, as well as some old friends. She has never done Shakespeare and welcomes the challenge. She would like to thank her mom, dad, and brother. Her parents introduced her to theatre and encouraged her to keep trying even when she wanted to give up. She is also thankful for her brother for his support and coming to shows (even if he didn’t want to).
Hunter Durand (Conrad) is a 9th grade student at Whitmer High School. She has been doing theatre for 4 years and has done 4 shows. She would like to thank her parents and is excited to play a villian.
Juliet Erekson (Hero) is in the 10th grade and attends Bowling Green High School. She has been doing theatre for 1 year and has already participated in 10 shows, 5 of which have been with HYT. She is excited for the opportunity to learn more Shakespearean language and thanks her family, friends, crew, and fellow castmates.
Kaidence Martinez (Messenger/3rd Watchman) attends Otsego Junior High and is currently in the 8th grade. She has been doing theatre for 2 years, has done 5 shows, and all of them have been with Horizon Youth Theatre. She is most excited to express herself on stage and thanks everyone who has done the last 5 shows with her.
Kelsey Fecht (Beatrice) is an 11th grader at St. Ursula Academy. She has done theatre for 5 years. She would like to thank her bandmates for encouraging her for this despite missing jazz band and Fox for encouraging her to try for Beatrice. She is excited to trade wits with fox and her costume, though she is most excited for all of it!
Kizzey Wilson (Sexton/5th Watchman) is in the 6th grade at Eastwood Elementary. She has done theatre for 3 years and has done 2 with HYT. She admits she doesn’t know much about this role but is excited for the experience. She would like to thank her former directors, Keith Guion and Alice Walters.
Kameri Green (Watchman Oatcake) has been doing theatre for 3 years in various classes, but this is her first show. She is in the 6th grade at Otsego Junior High She is excited most for making friends and would like to thank her parents.
Liam Rogel (Claudio) is a Senior at Toledo School for the Arts. He has done theatre for 12 years and has amassed a collection of 35+ shows in that time. He is most excited to be in scenes with Eve and Fox and thanks Cassie for dealing with his performance day conflict. He is also “so glad that I can be in one last show with Cassie Greenlee”.
Lylabelle Kleman (Margaret) is in the 10th grade at Anthony Wayne High School. She has taken 4 years of classes but has only done 2 shows total. She is excited for this experience in her first “real” role and would like to thank her parents.
Nic Fecht (Borachio) is in the 8th grade at Bowling Green Christian Academy. He has been doing theatre for 5 years and has been in 5 shows, 3 of which have been with HYT. He is most excited to play a villain guy and thanks his mother for driving him.
Owen Close (Don John) is a 10th grade student at Toledo School for the Arts. He has done theatre for 11 years and has done 20+ shows, only 1 with HYT. He is most excited to play a villain and is excited to figure it out. He thanks the director and his parents for driving him around. He also enjoys playing piano and doing quizbowl.
Violet Grossman (Leonata) is a homeschooled 12th grader and has been doing theatre for 10 years. In that time she has done 21 shows, 20 of which have been with HYT. She is excited to expand her knowledge of Shakespeare and converting this role from a male one to a female one. She thanks the cast and crew for their hardwork and everyone who has cheered her on in any of her theatre experiences. She hopes you all enjoy the show!
Zola Barnhill (Dogberry) is a junior at Toledo School for the Arts. She has been doing theatre for 2 years and has done 2 shows, both with HYT. She is excited to try out a comedic role and would like to thank Liz :P.