There's 'Much Ado' about quite a lot
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ISSUE: 09/13/07 > A&E > There's 'Much Ado' about quite a lot
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The Belmont Theatre Production of Much Ado About Nothing will run from Sept 20-29 in the Trout Theatre. |
The Shakespearean comedy Much Ado About Nothing makes its debut at the Troutt Theatre Sept. 20.
“I wanted to find a piece with scope and breadth that would make good use of the new space,” the play’s director, Bill Feehely, said. Feehely was also looking for something with a celebratory feel and Much Ado seemed to encompass everything he wanted.
| Joanna interviews cast members | |
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Watch the cast as they rehearce their dance number. |
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Cast member Pru Clearwater, "Beatrice", talks about acting in the new theater |
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Cast member Ben Reed, "Claudio," talks about performing in the Trout Theatre |
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Freshman Seth Curlee shares his experience as part of the set crew |
This particular play is a romantic comedy about a pair of soldiers coming back to an older patriarch’s home. The first soldier has a love interest and plans to marry her. In a classic twist, the other soldier initially dislikes the person he will fall for. Thus, the stage is set.
The production of Much Ado will enjoy a budget “five times” that of previous productions, said Paul Gatrell, assistant professor and chair of the Department of Theatre and Dance. It is also the first of what is expected to be much collaboration with the Nashville theatre company, Actors Bridge.
Casting for Much Ado About Nothing was revolutionary for the theatre department because it paired theatre students with professional actors. The department held two separate auditions: one for students and the other a pro-casting call.
“We were looking for some professional range,” Feehely said. The collaboration with Actor’s Bridge gives the theatre students the opportunity to work with professionals in their field; it also opens the production up to a wider audience.
Jaclyn Johnson, sophomore political science and theater major said, “Drawing from the Actor’s Bridge support group brings a larger audience with different people from various backgrounds together to share one experience.”
The lead role, Benedict, is played by Belmont alum Christopher Brown, also a member of the famed Blue Man Group. Brown, a graduate of Belmont’s class of 1997 who majored in music and became a professional musician for eight years, takes the stage playing the lead role in the upcoming production. He didn’t audition, but was called in for the part.
“I had a lot of experience with commitment resistance as did my character (Benedict), “fencing away from your truth,” Brown said. His resume screams “professional” with acting jobs such as: Off Broadway in New York, National Shakespeare Theatre in Washington D.C., as well as his most recent work as a cast member for the Blue Man Group.
Johnson plays Hero in Much Ado About Nothing. During auditions, she read for the part of Beatrice (lead role), but it was reserved for a professional actor. Johnson feels that this play is endearing to Belmont because, “I see beauty in the contrast between the two couples in the play–hasty versus experienced love,” she said.
