PicksInSix Review: Much Ado About Nothing - Chicago Shakespeare Theater
“This Looks Not Like A Nuptial.”
PicksInSix® Review | Ed Tracy
The excitement in the Jentes Family Courtyard Theater on Sunday was palpable for the return of director Selina Cadell and the opening of Chicago Shakespeare Theater’s “Much Ado About Nothing.” It is light, airy fare, after all, with the perfect holiday mix for Navy Pier— a romantic comedy framed in a drama of deception, briskly staged and presented with a wink and a nod for the delight of audiences of all ages.
Led by the finely crafted and immensely entertaining performances of Deborah Hay and Mark Bedard as Beatrice and Benedick, a seasoned company of gifted actors make one of Shakespeare’s most accessible, and hilarious, offerings sparkle and shine. While “Much Ado” tells the fractured story of two couples facing different challenges on the way to altar, with its spirited dialogue, broad humor and jesting frivolity, it is all for fun in the end.
It is also a battle of the sexes with the lines drawn early between Hay’s spritely and truly original Beatrice and Bedard’s bombastic Benedick as they are reacquainted at the palatial home of Leonato (a strong, measured performance by Kevin Gudhal). As Beatrice taunts Benedick, his disdain takes comic flight, swearing to himself (and an audience member in the front row) never to marry. There are no guardrails on Benedick’s disdain and Bedard spins into a frenzy that sends the message that he may indeed be enchanted by Beatrice’s charms.
Hay’s Beatrice most assuredly takes the upper hand in the relationship, teasing Benedick at the masked ball, calling him “the ‘Prince’s Jester’” and “duller than a great thaw!” outwardly shunning any man who would come her way. But privately, in her most quiet moments with those close to her, Beatrice yearns for the passion of true love, a fine line that Hay skillfully navigates between her robust obstinance towards Benedick, and a curiously obsessive comic quest to learn his true intentions. Hay is both a superb, multi-layered dramatic artist and a brilliant physical comedienne, qualities that serve her extremely well.
The two would-be lovers become the target of light-hearted deception and firmly on love’s collision course until the denizen of deceit Don John (Erik Hellman) concocts a plan to deceive his brother Don Pedro (Debo Balogun) and Benedick’s compatriot Claudio (Samuel B. Jackson) who has fallen hopelessly in love for Leonato’s daughter Hero (Mi Kang). Brokered by Don Pedro, the wedding ultimately evaporates when Claudio falsely claims Hero’s unfaithfulness and the once amiable wedding party turns quickly to the sullen side with Benedick’s frank assessment “This looks not like a nuptial.” The play turns on that bit of drama but all is never lost.
Enter the irascible constable Dogberry (Sean Fortunato) whose watchmen overhear the details of the nighttime deception and bring the matter to the court’s attention with his hilarious prosecution, one of the finest individual comic moments of the season. Indeed, Dogberry is “an ass,” but a raucous knave, to be sure, and Fortunato, one of Chicago’s most engaging performers, elevates the role to new heights. While leading his merry band of misfits through their paces in a truly glorious series of outrageous antics, the plot is exposed, another ruse set, and things begin to sort themselves out. It all leads to the eventual happy ending of this charming production—perfect family-centric fare for this or any holiday season.
PHOTO|Kyle Flubacker
Chicago Shakespeare Theater
presents
Much Ado About Nothing
Jentes Family Courtyard Theatre
Navy Pier
through December 21, 2026
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PROGRAM
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