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Event
Shakespeare In The Cannery 2017 "In The Mood"
"In the Mood"
The musical adaptation of
Much Ado About Nothing
Produced by Shakespeare In The Cannery
Directed by David Lear
Running Thursday, Friday Saturday
July 13, 14, 15, 20, 21, 22, 27, 28, 29, 31
August 3, 4, 5
Gates at 5pm
Show at 7pm
Synopsis for in The Mood
For our fourth season, Shakespeare In The Cannery is proud to present In The Mood, a sparkling musical version of Shakespeares beloved comedy, Much Ado About Nothing. While using Shakespeares original words and story, weve placed the action in 1945 Italy, just as World War ll has ended. The songs and dances of the swing era reflect that heady, celebratory time when all of worn-torn Europe rejoiced at the coming of peace.
Much Ado is the most socially and psychologically realistic of Shakespeares comedies,contrasting lighthearted wit with malice and pathos. The women of Messinas USO, headed by Leonora, are abuzz with the news that the Colonel Don Pedro and his officers are returning to Messina for a month-long stay!
One of the Colonels officers, a young and ardent Lieutenant Claudio, discovers that he is even more attracted to Hero than before the war. Hero is Leonoras sprightly young daughter who is equally hot for Claudio. But Claudio is uncertain about how to court her or how to ask for her hand in marriage. Another of the visitors is the confirmed bachelor, Captain Benedict. Hes a verbose and witty bloke who relishes a war of wits with Beatrice, Leonoras niece, a spirited woman with a gift for drop-dead quips.
Leonora holds a masked ball to celebrate the peace while the engagement of Claudio and Hero is arranged but not without some mirthful mix up. Meanwhile, the Colonels brother, Don John, is plotting away to spoil everyones fun as often as he can. Don John is a resentful guy with a major chip on his shoulder and a lot of envy towards Claudio.
Don John plots with two other soldiers, Borachio and Connie, to deceive Claudio into believing Hero is unfaithful. These restive conspirators carry out a trick with the unwitting assistance of Heros maid, Margaret, who speaks from Heros bedroom window at night while embracing Borachio.
Claudio and the Colonel watch secretly form a distance and are certain the girl at the window is Hero. Shortly before this devious escapade, the Colonel and Hero are so convinced that Beatrice and Benedict would be ideal partners that they trick them into believing they actually love one another.
By means of overheard conversations, Beatrice and Benedick, those two sparring wordsmiths, discover that, indeed, they are in love! As Hero says, Some Cupid kills with arrows, some with traps.(Act lll, Scene i)
The day of Claudio and Heros wedding arrives. Claudio denounces Hero at the altar, and leaves her, apparently dead from shock. Leonora, Beatrice and Benedick, are astonished and horrified at the accusation. With the help of the priest, Leonora, Benedict and Beatrice decide to keep Heros recovery a secret until her named can be cleared. The priest explains that Claudio will realize how much he truly loves and values Hero and how sorry he will be when he hears shes dead.
Help is at hand as the nincampoop constable, Dogberry, and his dimwit assistants have arrested Borachio and Connie after overhearing them boast about how they deceived Claudio and the Colonel.
The play comes to a joyful conclusion when Dogberrys information, after some uproarious confusion, is given to Leonora and the Colonel. Claudio agrees to accept Antonias daughterwhom he has never met, in place of Hero. Since Claudio believes Heros been killed by his slander, he is grieving
and contrite. Antonias daughter turns out to be Hero, and the lovers are happily united. Beatrice and Benedick announce that they, too, shall be married then and there, much to everyones surprise!
Beatrice and Benedick banter their way to the altar while Don John has been captured, attempting to escape. His fate is left for a future time while everyone joins in a happy and exhilarating dance.
~ Corisa Aaronson, Dramaturge and Voice/text Coach (with a little
assistance from nosweatshakespeare.com)
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LocationShakespeare in the Cannery (View)
3 West 3rd Street
Santa Rosa, CA 95401
United States
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