Berkeley Shakespeare Company Presents: “Much Ado About Nothing”

By William Shakespeare

Edited by Alejandra Wahl and Emily Newsome

Directed by Alejandra Wahl

Director’s Note

The opening of Much Ado About Nothing is not too far removed from something we might
witness today. Don Pedro, leader of a military troop that has recently survived (and won) a
skirmish, brings his men and his closest brothers-in-arms to Messina in search of some
healing and respite. Leonato, Governor of Messina and head of household to a family full
of vigor, light, and laughter, welcomes the weary soldiers and immediately integrates them
into the family's daily life.  While love and merriment quickly ensue, a friction emerges
between the two families… which has devastating consequences.
The clash between these two groups is a power struggle between two cultures, and two
understandings of love. Our "Much Ado" is not simply a battle of the sexes, or a mere
romantic comedy – this is a story about two very different cultures trying deeply to
understand and relate to each other, failing at times, but mostly succeeding. The military
group and the people of Messina craft a new understanding and appreciation of each other,
granting each other the ultimate mercy of forgiveness and creating a new world together —
one that is vibrant, richer, and unified.
In the original text, Claudio's fury and misbehavior stems from his mistaken belief that
Hero is not "a maid." To our eyes, reducing a woman's value to her virginity is
disempowering and frankly unnecessary. Removing all references to her maidenhood
allowed us, moreover, to discover something really vital. The great push and pull between
these two distinct groups is their understanding of the intersection of loyalty and love, and
how their unique culture expresses those ensuing emotions.
For the military men, loyalty breeds love – being bonded by oath, a common cause, a
common struggle. Don Pedro loves and nurtures the soldiers under his command; he loves
and nurtures his sibling, Don John, not because there is any true love between them, but
because the bonds of family dictate that loyalty must be had. Benedick and Claudio, in turn,
prioritize the bonds of brotherhood above all else, to the exclusion of reason or sentiment…
much to the delight of one and the dismay of the other.
For Leonato's family, love is given freely and without reservation; loyalty comes as a
consequence of that unconditional love. The young women of Leonato's family are the best
examples of this power: Beatrice's love emerges in fierceness, defending and demanding
loyalty in equal measure, yet sweetly willing to leap into love headfirst. Hero's deep love
for her family and partner leads her to place her agency on the backburner, making choices
that will strengthen and support them. When Hero's loyalty is questioned, it empowers her
to redefine her relationship to love, asking for loyalty and granting forgiveness on her own
terms.
As we emerge from the pandemic into increasingly tumultuous times, a story about love
and lovers might feel like the uplifting balm our souls need. Let us not, however, overlook
the lessons that "Much Ado" ultimately grants us: Listen closely. Forgive wholly. Trust
deeply. Love unconditionally.
Alejandra Wahl

 

Scenes

Act I

Scene 1: Messina. Before Leonato’s House.

Scene 2: A Room in Leonato’s House.

Scene 3: A Hall in Leonato’s House.

Act II

Scene 1: A Hall in Leonato’s House.

Scene 2: Another Room in Leonato’s House.

Scene 3: Leonato’s Orchard.

Act III

Scene 1: Leonato’s Garden.

Scene 2: A Room in Leonato’s House.

Intermission

Scene 3: Messina. A Street.

Scene 4: Hero’s Apartment.

Act IV

Scene 1: Messina. Inside a Church.

Scene 2: Messina. A Prison.

Act V

Scene 1: Before Leonato’s House.

Scene 2: Leonato’s Garden.

Scene 3: Messina. Inside a Church.

Production Team

Director………………………………………………………………Alejandra Wahl

Producers…………Emily Newsome, Jennifer Gallagher, Sam Logan, Phillip Leyva

Shakespeare Coach………………………………………………………Lura Dolas

Costume Design…………………………………………Juliana King, Elana Swartz

Set Design….………………..…………………………………………..……Alejandra Wahl

Marketing / Social Media……………………….….Emily Newsome, Phillip Leyva

Cast

Beatrice………………………………………….…………………Emily Newsome

Benedick…………………………………………..………………Nick Mandracchia

Hero……………………………………………………………….……Elana Swartz

Claudio…………………………………………………………………Phillip Leyva

Don Pedro……………………………………………………………Zeke Edmonds

Don John……………………………………………………………..…..Lisa Wang

Leonato……………………………………………………………….…Evan Winet

Margaret, Sexton……………………………………………………Casey Anderson

Borachio…………………………………………………………………Sam Logan

Dogberry……………………………………………………Zachary Vaughn-Munck

Ursula………………………………………………………………………Sarah Lee

Balthasar………………………………………………….Christian Vaughn-Munck

Conrade, Friar Francis…………………………………………………Julianna King

Antonia, Verges………………………………………………………Pear Michaels

 

Cast Bios

Emily Newsome (Beatrice) is one of the founders of Berkeley Shakes, and this will be her second production with the company. It has been an honor to have had this opportunity to fall in love with Beatrice and work with such a talented, kind, and authentic cast of actors. Past Shakespeare credits include Macbeth (Director/Witch 1, Berkeley Shakespeare Company) Taming of the Shrew (Kate, Avalon Players), and A Midsummer Night’s Dream(Hermia, Shakes on the Deck). She would like to thank the whole team for generously lending their hearts to this production and filling every moment of the process with pure joy and love.

Alejandra Wahl (Director, Borachio U/S) is an artist who seeks to explore the intersection between justice, transformation, liberation, and healing in creative, imaginative expression. Most recently seen as Edward/Victoria (Cloud 9 at Custom Made Theater Co.); recent roles include Sabina (The Skin Of Our Teeth, Actor’s Ensemble of Berkeley), The Porter/Lady Macduff (Macbeth, Berkeley Shakespeare Company). A bilingual teaching artist and director, Alejandra directs theater programs with incarcerated men and women in California state prisons, using Shakespeare, contemporary plays, and acting skills as a tool for self-reflection and empowerment. She firmly believes in the radical power of theater, and is honored to have helmed this energetic, uplifting production of Much Ado About Nothing.

 

Phillip Leyva (Claudio) is a founding member of Berkeley Shakes and last performed with the company as Macbeth this past winter. He was born and raised in Los Banos, California, and after serving four years in the Army as an infantry paratrooper, he followed his heart back to the Golden State where he currently works as a theatre artist. Phillip’s favorite roles include Georg Nowack in She Loves Me (Pinole Players), Dr. Lyman Sanderson in Harvey (Pinole Players), Yonkers in Gypsy (Bay Area Musicals), Not Dead Fred in Spamalot (Pittsburg Theatre Company), and Sherlock Holmes in The Hound of the Baskervilles (PTC @ Steeltown). He holds a B.A. in English from UC Berkeley and an M.A in teaching from Saint Mary’s College of California.

Zeke Edmonds (Don Pedro) s an alumnus from Syracuse University’s B.F.A. Musical Theatre program. He recently moved from New York City to the Bay Area where he was a professional actor. Recent credits include: A Chorus Line at the Signature Theatre in Arlington, VA; Young Scrooge in A Christmas Carol at the McCarter Theatre; Dream Curly in Oklahoma! at the Glimmerglass Festival; and Bert u/s in Mary Poppins at Syracuse Stage. Zeke is extremely honored and excited to be a part of Berkeley Shakespeare Company’s 2nd production. Thank you to Alejandra, Phillip, Emily, and the entire company for this special opportunity. www.zekeedmonds.com

Lisa Wang (Don John) is thrilled and honored to debut with Berkeley Shakespeare Company with this talented and spirited cast! She is an actor/improviser who has performed in various groups and festivals including Actors Ensemble of Berkeley, Contra Costa Civic Theatre, San Leandro Players, Playwrights Center of SF, the SF One Minute Play Festival, and the SF Olympians Festival. You can catch Lisa performing improvised theatre regularly in SF at BATS Improv as a Company member. More at improv.org.

Evan Winet (Leonato) has performed throughout the Bay Area in roles which include Titus Andronicus (Silicon Valley Shakespeare), Arden in the Arden of Faversham (Theatre of Others), Claudius in Hamlet (Actors Ensemble of Berkeley), and Mr. Rooney in All that Fall (Anton’s Well).

Casey Anderson (Margaret, Sexton) is thrilled to be back at Berkeley Shakespeare Company for their second show together. Casey, a Bay Area native, began pursuing her passion for theatre in 2017 and has consumed every opportunity since, performing all around the bay. Some of her favorite roles include Rosalind in As You Like It (Shakespeare Napa Valley) and Shelby Latcherie in Steel Magnolias (Bay Area Stage). She would like to thank her family and friends for their constant enthusiasm and support. Casey hopes to bring light and laughter to your life this year.

Sam Logan (Borachio) most recently played Macduff in Berkeley Shakespeare Company’s production of Macbeth. The show was part of his mission to perform in every single play by William Shakespeare. Previously, he’s played Edgar in King Lear at the B8 Theatre company, Laertes in Actors Ensemble of Berkeley’s production of Hamlet, Demetrius in theatreCORE’s production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Orsino in Antioch Classical Theatre Company’s Twelfth Night, and had a role in their production of As You Like It as well. His mission continues in May as Borachio in Much Ado About Nothing.

Zachary Vaughn-Munck (Dogberry, Balthasar U/S) is very pleased and scared to be back on stage with this phenomenal group of folks.  Having been born at a very young age, Zach has longed for an outlet for his creative and humorous “talents”. After being trapped in Zoom theater Purgatory by the evil Ms. ‘Rona, Zach has finally escaped to terrorize theater goers once more.  He is over-the-moon that Berkeley Shakes forgave his flop sweat, allowing him to join the cast of this amazing show after promising to be on his worst best behavior.  Zach is a recent transplant from MarsVenus Denver, CO, where he trod the boards in such shows as A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Gross Indecency: The Three Trials of Oscar Wilde, and most often, whenever he manages to make it on a stage before being escorted out by security.  On a more serious note, G sharp.

Pear Michaels (Antonia, Verges) is excited to return to theatre after a long hiatus. Past productions include Vinegar Tom, The Possibilities, The Owl and the Pussycat, and The Skin of Our Teeth. She was recently assistant stage manager for Ross Valley Players’ production of The Pack Rat Gene. Pear studied English and theatre at UCB, played Helena there in A Midsummer’s Night’s Dream, and grew up with an Irish father who regularly and deftly quoted the Bard in lieu of nagging.supporters of the arts, and a big thank you to his incredible husband for all the fun and support.

Special thanks to our contributors:

Lori and Gary Price                Tara D Sanders

Jason Berner                           Sharon Sobel Idul

Eduardo Santos                      Yamileth Valera-Andre

Nancy Nelson                         Maya Duran

Chloe Alia Campbell             Dianna Schepers

Stefanie Ali                           Veronica Guardado

Sam Logan                            Phillip and Sara Leyva

Nick Mandracchia                 Terry Tracy

Ron Dritz                               Lisa Wang

Kyle Jacques                         Jason Mack

JoAnna Garcia.                     Sam Hattersley

Ila Nelson                             Julie Vaughn

Lance Barrera                      Anay Patel

Pittsburg Community Theatre

The Speakeasy SF

Marin Shakespeare Company