Valley Shakespeare Tours 'Much Ado About Nothing'

Press release

VSF Readies Its Tour of “Much Ado About Nothing”

– Get your giggle on as Valley Shakespeare Festival proudly tours the hilarious classic, “Much Ado About Nothing”!

Join Valley Shakespeare Festival at their Community Performances of their touring production of “Much Ado About Nothing” at the Plumb Memorial Library, the Kellogg Environmental Center, Center Stage and Southbury Library - for a side splitting romp filled with romance, witty banter, and delightful misunderstandings! In this uproarious Shakespearean tale, watch as the sharp-tongued Beatrice and Benedick engage in a hilarious battle of wits, all while trying to hide their secret crushes. Meanwhile, catch the lovable Claudio and Hero in a whirlwind of drama when a rumor twists their happy ending into chaos! And don’t forget our not-so-bright but oh-so-funny constable Dogberry, whose antics will have you rolling in the aisles!

"I always think of this as one of Shakespeare’s most entertaining plays because it dives into love, gossip, and our reactions when we feel like we're about to lose something precious,” said Tom Simonetti, Founder and Director of Valley Shakespeare Festival. “We’re taking this production on the road not only into various community spaces, but to local high schools, and I can’t wait to see how students connect with the characters! The way gossip can hurt someone is something many can relate to, whether they’ve been on the receiving end or the one spreading the rumors. It’s going to be a fun and eye-opening experience for everyone!"

The cast includes six professional actors, including Will Nash Broyles as Leonato/Friar (Sharon Playhouse, Madison Lyric Stage, Walnut Street Theatre in Philadelphia), Jim McMahon as Benedick/Conrad (Graduate of Syracuse University’s BFA Acting Program), Inabasi A. Nelson as Don Pedro/Sexton (Short Film: Maybe Another Life), Jessica Nivison as Beatrice/Dogberry (Center Stage and Downtown Cabaret Theatre), Cassidy Phelps as Hero/Don John/Verges (Central Connecticut State University Theatre graduate) and Thomas Rudden as Claudio/Margaret (The British Drama Academy). Choreography by Matt Mancuso, Production Management by Kristen Kingsley, Production Stage Management by Allie Nadeau. The performance is adapted and directed by Valley Shakespeare Festival Founder and Executive Director, Tom Simonetti.

This production is made possible by a grant from the Shakespeare in American Communities, supported by the National Endowment for the Arts and Arts Midwest.

A full performance schedule and ticketing info can be found at www.vsfestival.org. So grab your friends, family, or that one person who could use a good laugh, and join us for a performance full of unforgettable fun, and don’t miss this chance to experience a classic comedy like never before!

Also, don’t forget to join Valley Shakespeare Festival over the summer for their free outdoor performance of As You Like It. Playing July 10th-13th in Veteran’s Memorial Park in Shelton and July 17th-20th in Oxford. Performances begin at 7pm and are free to the public with a suggested donation of $20 for Adults and $10 for Students.

LET THE LAUGHTER BEGIN!

Community Performance Schedule (each venue takes care of ticketing these events):

• Plumb Memorial Library. 65 Wooster Street in Shelton, CT on Wednesday, May 7th at 6pm. Visit: www.sheltonlibrarysystem.org/ or call 203-924-1580.
• Special Mother’s Day Celebration at Kellogg Environmental Center. 500 Hawthorne Avenue, Derby CT on Sunday, May 11th in Derby at 2 pm. Visit: www.ctparks.com/events or call 203-734-2513
• Center Stage. 54 Grove Street, Shelton, CT on Tuesday, May 13th at 7:30 pm. Visit: https://www.centerstageshelton.org/ or call 203-225-6079
• Southbury Library. Performances held at the Southbury Parks and Rec Department 561 Main Street South Southbury, CT on Tuesday, May 20th at 7:00 pm. Call (203-262-0626 ext 1) for tickets or visit www.southburylibrary.org

**About Valley Shakespeare Festival** The Valley Shakespeare Festival roams throughout Connecticut’s lower Naugatuck Valley region and is a dynamic celebration of Shakespeare’s timeless works, founded by Tom Simonetti. The festival features vibrant performances in beautiful outdoor settings, making Shakespeare accessible and enjoyable for all. In addition to its main productions, the festival focuses on educational outreach by touring local high schools, engaging students with the Bard’s stories and themes, such as love and betrayal. This initiative helps young people connect with the characters and discussions that resonate today. With its blend of captivating performances and community involvement, the Valley Shakespeare Festival is a gem in the Lower Naugatuck Valley, inspiring a love of theater and literature among audiences of all ages!