The Public's Much Ado About Nothing
2019This 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.
Acted in
Danielle Brooks
as Beatrice
Grantham Coleman
as Benedick
Chuck Cooper
as Leonato
Erik LaRay Harvey
as Antonio/Verges
Kai Heath
as Messenger
Jamar Brathwaite
as Ensemble
Jeremie Harris
as Claudio
Daniel Croix Henderson
as Balthasar
Tyrone Mitchell Henderson
as Friar Francis/Sexton
Tiffany Denise Hobbs
as Ursula
Lateefah Holder
as Dogberry
Billy Eugene Jones
as Don Pedro
Margaret Odette
as Hero
Hubert Point-Du Jour
as Don John
Jaime Lincoln Smith
as Borachio
Khiry Walker
as Conrade/Ensemble
Olivia Washington
as Margaret