Cappies Review: 'Much Ado About Nothing' At James Madison High School

By Owen Simmons of Osbourn Park High School

Get thee a wife and come see James Madison High School's production of Much Ado About Nothing! Whether or not there is a sort of merry war betwixt you and your object of affection, or if you've vowed to never marry, this show will have you laughing all night.

Much Ado About Nothing is known as one of William Shakespeare's most lighthearted comedies. Written around 1600, Much Ado About Nothing follows the riveting tale of two young couples, Claudio and Hero (played by Aaron Shansab and Katie Hindin, respectively) and Beatrice and Benedick (played by Mary Ulses and Jonah Uffelman, respectively) on their journey through deception to their one true love. Will they make their way to their true love in the end? Or will they be foiled by Don John (Erik Bilawski) and his villainous plans? Only time will tell.

The production was stunning, the acting superb, and the sets breathtaking. There wasn't a dull moment all night, from the hilarious facial expressions to the touching confessions of love. The actors each showcased their character and their emotions in detail, and the technical elements truly brought the show together. Whether a member of the ensemble or a main character, each had their own unique role and lit up the stage.

Jonah Uffelman in his role as Benedick truly captured the audience's hearts, as well as that of Beatrice, played by Mary Ulses. He kept the audience laughing, even in the most heartbreaking moments with his physical comedy and comedic timing. Despite the work being of Shakespearean tongue, Uffelman made it easy to understand and follow the plot, guaranteeing laughs all night long. His lover, Beatrice, also brought humor to the stage, through her wit and tongue. The two characters had clear chemistry right off the bat, communicating without words in every scene.

Those two weren't the only characters to wow the stage with their humor. Zoe Miller wooed the audience in the role of Dogberry. From Miller's loud demeanor to sloppy antics, there wasn't a moment without laughter. Miller dominated the stage, providing comic relief in moments of great drama. Caroline Pinnock, playing Ursula, also won the hearts of many, not through her humor, but through her kindness and soft demeanor. A waiting woman of Hero, Pinnock aides in getting Benedick and Beatrice together, as well as providing a shoulder to cry on when things got rough.

The technical elements of this show really brought the story together and set the time period and location extraordinarily well. Everything was executed wonderfully, from the set design (Nic Crews, Alex Lundquist, Carissa Ma) to the costumes (Emma Burke, Mikenna Corcoran, Ciara Stefanik) to the hair (Caroline Pinnock, Kathleen Sullivan) on each character's head. The sets featured a multi-level courtyard, complete with ivy and a working fountain, and the hand painted stones really gave the stage a 16th-century Italian feel. The costumes were magnificent and added depth and detail to every character. From the villains and heroes wearing contrasting colors of blue and red, to our wronged Hero wearing pink and flowers to show her innocence, the costumes were cohesive and told the story of our fated lovers perfectly.

James Madison's production of Much Ado About Nothing gave a fresh and modern rendition of a centuries-old tale. A truly spectacular performance, every aspect of cast and crew came together to tell a story, working cohesively and blowing the audience away.