The Public's Much Ado About Nothing
Synopsis
This bold interpretation of Shakespeare’s comedic masterpiece features Danielle Brooks (“Orange is the New Black,” Broadway’s “The Color Purple”) and Grantham Coleman (“Buzzer,” “The Americans”) as the sparring lovers Beatrice and Benedick. Tony Award winner Kenny Leon (“American Son,” “A Raisin in the Sun”) directs with choreography by Tony Award nominee Camille A. Brown (“Choir Boy”). Set in contemporary Georgia with an election race underway, Great Performances: Much Ado About Nothing finds the community of Messina celebrating a break from an ongoing war, but not all is peaceful amid the merriment. Former rivals battle it out, revenge is sought and trickery runs amok in this timeless comedy of romantic retribution and miscommunication. Earning a New York Times Critic’s Pick, the play was recorded during its final weekend of Free Shakespeare in the Park performances, June 22-23, 2019.
Top Cast
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Danielle Brooks
Beatrice
Grantham Coleman
Benedick
Chuck Cooper
Leonato
Erik LaRay Harvey
Antonio/Verges
Kai Heath
Messenger
Jamar Brathwaite
Ensemble
Jeremie Harris
Claudio
Daniel Croix
Balthasar
Tyrone Mitchell Henderson
Friar Francis/Sexton
Tiffany Denise Hobbs
Ursula
Lateefah Holder
Dogberry
Billy Eugene Jones
Don Pedro
Margaret Odette
Hero
Hubert Point-Du Jour
Don John
Jaime Lincoln Smith
Borachio
Khiry Walker
Conrade/Ensemble
Olivia Washington
Margaret
Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- Kenny Leon, David Horn
- Screenplay & Story
- William Shakespeare
- Original Title
- The Public's Much Ado About Nothing
- Spoken Languages
- English
- Runtime
- 2h 14m
- Production Studios
- The Public Theatre, The Public Theater (Oskar Eustis, Artistic Director; Patrick Willingham, Executive Director), Thirteen, Great Performances
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
Kenny Leon, David Horn
William Shakespeare
Mitch Owgang, Bill O'Donnell
Department Leadership Roster
Kenny Leon
Director
David Horn
Director
Mitch Owgang
Producer
Bill O'Donnell
Producer
Beowulf Boritt
Production Design
Emilio Sosa
Costume Design
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for The Public's Much Ado About Nothing.
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Frequently Asked Questions About The Public's Much Ado About Nothing
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
What is The Public's Much Ado About Nothing about?
This bold interpretation of Shakespeare’s comedic masterpiece features Danielle Brooks (“Orange is the New Black,” Broadway’s “The Color Purple”) and Grantham Coleman (“Buzzer,” “The Americans”) as the sparring lovers Beatrice and Benedick. Tony Award winner Kenny Leon (“American Son,” “A Raisin in the Sun”) directs with choreography by Tony Award nominee Camille A. Brown (“Choir Boy”). Set in contemporary Georgia with an election race underway, Great Performances: Much Ado About Nothing finds the community of Messina celebrating a break from an ongoing war, but not all is peaceful amid the merriment. Former rivals battle it out, revenge is sought and trickery runs amok in this timeless comedy of romantic retribution and miscommunication. Earning a New York Times Critic’s Pick, the play was recorded during its final weekend of Free Shakespeare in the Park performances, June 22-23, 2019.
Who directed The Public's Much Ado About Nothing?
The Public's Much Ado About Nothing was directed by Kenny Leon, David Horn.
Who stars in The Public's Much Ado About Nothing?
The principal cast of The Public's Much Ado About Nothing includes Danielle Brooks, Grantham Coleman, Chuck Cooper, Erik LaRay Harvey, Kai Heath.
When was The Public's Much Ado About Nothing released and how long is it?
The Public's Much Ado About Nothing was released in 2019 with a total runtime of 2h 14m.