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1. Positives (+)  

   1. A Timeless Romance. Much Ado holds the romantic heroes Beatrice and Benedick. Even if a patron isn’t familiar with the show, the chemistry and wit between the two of them will resonate with audiences. They are the molds for so many stage and film romances.
       

   2. A Timeless Comedy. It is impossible not to laugh during this show. If the romantic whisper-down-the-lane story is somehow not funny enough, the quirky side characters will steal everyone’s hearts.
       

   3. Music to my ears. The music woven throughout the piece, whether it is coming from Balthasar or a mourning hymn, saturates the space and the characters with so much life.
       

   4. D R A M A. Much Ado is packed with comedy, but the drama is hyped up too. From Leonato’s devastating monologue to her daughter, Claudio’s rejection of Hero, or Beatrice asking Benedick to kill Claudio, this play is heart wrenching in the most satisfying way.
       

   5. Let’s Dance. There are so many layers to this play it will be a treat for the audience to experience them throughout the performance. On top of the comedy, drama, and music is the opportunity for dancing. It’s an element that adds so much heat and passion to the story without dialogue.
       

   6. On the move. Much Ado reads as a very physical story and it moves fast. The dialogue is so rich that audiences have a lot to grab onto and stay engaged with the overall pace.
       

2. Challenges (-)  

   1. What was that? Shakespeare can be wordy. While many patrons will be comfortable with Shakespeare, some may not be grounded in his style/structure of writing and speech.
       

   2. I need a Hero. Claudio is so infatuated with Hero that their relationship moves incredibly fast. When her fidelity is questioned, the room turns on her including Leonato and Claudio. Her abandonment may disturb audiences, particularly women, since our culture obsesses over standards of purity.
       

   3. Why-o Claudio?! He found love, and completely absolved himself from Hero with what appears to be no remorse. Claudio must still love Hero, but is too vain to show it.

   4. There’s something about Don John. He’s a hard character to figure out. It’s easy to dismiss him as just a villain, but there is something more deep rooted living inside him. Was this just a tantrum gone to far or did something trigger him to act like this?
      
       

3. Questions (?)  

   1. What is up with title? Nothing or Noting? Both?
       

   2. How is Claudio so removed from the loss of Hero?
       

   3. Why did Hero agree to marry him again?
       

   4. Will Claudio’s flippantness cause the audience to distrust him at the end?
       

   5. What is Don John’s motive?
       

   6. What is up with the ending?
      
       

4. Cracks/Threads (*)  

   1. Shakespeare has tethered me to so many meaningful relationships in my life, from friends, my partner, and mentors. There is an inherent part of putting on Shakespeare that requires community building. The core of Much Ado is love. Love shared with friends, lovers, and family. The show is a reminder that life and love are both messy, and everyone can find solidarity in love.

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1. Audio and Visual moments (A/V)

   1. (A) Beatrice & Benedick bickering. The first time the audience sees them interact establishes their spunky dynamic and marks the first step towards their romance.
       

   2. (A) Don John’s expresses the first of his ill intentions. Don John reveals his character and malicious intentions that extends throughout the play.
       

   3. (V) The party/masquerade. The space is transformed into a place where identities can be removed, created, and falsified. Plus, it’s a party with dancing.
       

   4. (A) “Sigh no more, ladies.” Bathalsar’s iconic song.
       

   5. (A) The Watch overhears Borachio, and Dogberry unsuccessfully tries to inform Leonato. Breaks the seriousness, but also uncovers the truth.
       

   6. (A/V) Claudio’s rejection of Hero. A heartbreaking and stark moment that illustrates the injustice towards Hero.
       

   7. (A) Beatrice & Benedick’s confession of love and Beatrice’s request that Benedick kill Claudio.
       

   8. (V) Wedding Part Deux. Love is back, Don John is gone, time to dance.
       

2. Concretes (C)  

   1. Beatrice and Benedick’s Letters. The love letters are key to Beatrice and Benedick trusting that they truly love each other since they see, in each other’s own thought-out words, exactly how they feel. They also have a tangible hold on the effort put forth by the other to convey love.
       

   2. Scroll (Hero’s Epitaph). This prop is essential to show that Claudio has put forth an honorable effort to mourn Hero. Like the love letters, the fact that he put pen to paper shows how dedicated he is to righting his wrongs.
       

   3. Masks. Shakespeare calls for a masquerade in act 2. Interactions between characters depend on them not knowing who the other is. For example, Beatrice rips into Benedick without knowing she’s talking to Benedick. (Or, at least, Benedick thinks she doesn’t recognize him.)
       

3. Echoes, Repetitions, Returnings (E/R/R)

   1. Horns: Horns, alluding to cuckolds, are echoed throughout the play. They relay the theme of marriage, but also stands for stubborness and passion.
       

   2. Noting: Observation is laden throughout Much Ado. More poignantly, people watching, eavesdropping, and sabotaging.
       

   3. Appearance: Clothing, masks, and even facial hair informs that the world of the play is heavy with notions of identity and maturity.
       

   4. Language: The witty banter, dogberryisms, lyrics, letters, etc… are paramount to the overall flavor of the play. Words can hurt and words can heal.
       

   5. Pursuit of truth: Despite all of the obstacles placed in the way of the couplings, truth prevails at the end, vindicating and reuniting Hero with Claudio, and affirming Beatrice and Benedick’s new found love.
       

   6. Polar opposites: Characters are often juxtaposed to expose polarities. For example, Don Pedro and Don John, Beatrice and Benedick.
       

   7. Social Hierarchy: Messina houses a transparent insight into class and status throughout the characters, which stresses moments of conflict by revealing their social currency.
       

   8. Gender Roles: Expectations of masculinity and femininity are instilled in the lifeblood of these characters. What makes Beatrice and Benedick so exciting to watch is that they push each other in and out of their preconceived notions of love. Toxic masculinity does flourish at times with the meddling into Claudio and Hero’s impending marriage, and how Claudio receives the information.