The Traveling Players present

Much Ado about Nothing

by William Shakespeare

Friday & Saturday, August 18-19 7 pm

Como Park, St. Paul "40 Acres," on the Northwest corner of Lexington Parkway N and Horton Avenue.

Wednesday, August 23 7 pm

Central Park, Eagan Eagan Rotary Band Shell at Central Park, 1501 Central Parkway.

Friday & Saturday, September 15-16 7 pm

Nicollet Commons, Burnsville Amphitheater at Nicollet Commons Park, 12550 Nicollet Avenue, Burnsville, MN.
Press Photos

In the News...

Pioneer Press BURNSVILLE Shakespeare performance: The Traveling Players will present William Shakespeare's "Much Ado About Nothing" Sept. 15 and 16 at the Nicollet Commons amphitheater. The comedy is directed and produced by the sister team of Melissa Morrissey and Deanne McDonald, with choreography by Jessica Knapp. The Traveling Players infuse the action with pop music — ranging from the Gnarls Barkley to Belle and Sebastian — and wear different styles of dress. Performances are free, but a $5 donation is suggested. Reservations are not necessary. Nicollet Commons is at 12550 Nicollet Ave. For details, call 612-747-5342.

Asian American Press Much Ado about Nothing By Tom LaVenture ST. PAUL (August 15, 2006) – The Traveling Players present Much Ado about Nothing, by William Shakespeare, with outdoor park performances in August and September in Como Park, Eagan and Burnsville. (Continues, interview with Kiseung Rhee)

Kiseung Rhee, as Dogberry, and Al Fiene as his Verges in a scene from Much Ado About Nothing. Photo by Deanne McDonald.

Pioneer Press EAGAN'Much Ado about Nothing' performance: The Traveling Players, a Twin Cities theater company, will be presenting an interpretation of "Much Ado About Nothing" at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Eagan Community Center's band shell. The production of Shakespeare's comedy will be infused with modern music ranging from Gnarls Barkley to Belle and Sebastian and costumes will be of different time periods. Performances will also be held Sept. 15 and 16 at 7 p.m. at Nicollet Commons in Burnsville. The community center is at 1501 Central Parkway. A $5 donation is suggested.

Eagan Live Jive Eagan Live Jive presents The Traveling Players 'Much Ado About Nothing' Local talent will be in Eagan tonight with friends displaying their theatre skills in Much Ado About Nothing, which will start at the Eagan Rotary Band Shell at 7:00 p.m.

Dramatis Personae

Director-Melissa Morrissey

Producer/Costume Design-Deanne McDonald

Assistant Director/Stage Manager-Celia Forrest

Sound Design-Erin A. Caswell, Michael McDonald

Choreography-Jessica Knapp

Cast

Actor Bios

LEONATO governor of Messina-Al Fiene

HERO daughter to Leonato-Melissa Morrissey

BEATRICE neice to Leonato-Deanne McDonald

URSULA gentlewoman attending on Hero-Emily Maeder

DON PEDRO prince of Aragon-Jerome R. Marzullo

DON JOHN his bastard brother-Kiseung Rhee

CLAUDIO a young lord of Florence-Nathaniel Nesheim-Case

BENEDICK a young lord of Padua-Andrew Kraft

CONRAD follower of Don John-Doug Kline

BORACHIO follower of Don John-Matt Kohn

DOGBERRY a constable-Kiseung Rhee

VERGES a headborough-Al Fiene

WATCHMAN 1-Nathaniel Nesheim-Case

WATCHMAN 2-Andrew Kraft

FRIAR FRANCIS-Celia Forrest

SEXTON-Celia Forrest

Crew

Sound Operator-David Morrissey

Running Time: Approximately one hour

Concessions are available through out the performance.

Production Notes

Shakespeare at his wittiest, Much Ado about Nothing follows two pairs of would-be lovers: the feuding Beatrice and Benedick, and the romantic Hero and Claudio. Prince Don Pedro attempts to trick Beatrice and Benedick into falling in love as his wicked bastard brother, Don John, attempts to separate Hero and Claudio. A comedy of mistaken identity, deception, and trickery, Much Ado includes some of Shakespeare's most comedic and memorable characters such as Dogberry, the wordy and inefficient constable, and Beatrice and Benedick, a pair who embody the term "battle of the sexes."

Much Ado about Nothing is The Traveling Players’ premiere production, encompassing a style of presentation that emulates Shakespeare’s time as much as possible. The minimal set design, contemporary costumes, limited amplification, and close proximity to audience members are an attempt to give a modern audience something akin to what Shakespeare’s own audiences may have experienced. Add to that a healthy dose of irreverence and modern sensibility from our collaborative artists and actors, and you have The Traveling Players’ new brand of theater.

Special Thanks

Karen Mulhausen and Augsburg College; Linda McDonald; Kristen Kaufmann; Nora Dombrock; Joanne Carter; Keith Kraft; Susie Odegard and St Paul Park & Rec; Cathy Bolduc and Eagan Park & Rec; JJ Ryan and Burnsville Park & Rec; the entire cast and crew.
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