INTERVIEW: ‘Much Ado About Nothing’ isn’t dead

The folks at Hamlet Isn’t Dead, a theater company dedicated to the works of William Shakespeare, are focused on the original text and spirit of the Bard’s plays. This means they create productions that are close to the original intentions of the writer.

Along those lines, Hamlet Isn’t Dead infuses each production with original music, and both Shakespeare’s words and the tunes of James Overton are on display in their new take on Much Ado About Nothing. The classic romance, set in the Italian countryside, is currently playing at The Center at West Park, Balcony Theater. Performances run through March 24.

Recently Hollywood Soapbox exchanged emails with James Rightmyer Jr., director of Much Ado and executive director of Hamlet Isn’t Dead. Questions and answers have been slightly edited for style.

What inspired you and the company to tackle Much Ado About Nothing? 

Hamlet Isn’t Dead’s mission is to produce the works of William Shakespeare in the order in which they were written.  Much Ado About Nothing is Shakespeare’s 18th show, and thus ours also. It represents something of a return to form for Shakespeare — after the commercial venture of his previous Merry Wives of Windsor, Much Ado is a play with great comedy and characters, but also great ideas, just like the rest of Shakespeare’s favorite classics.

Do you find that the comedy in the piece holds up for 2018 audiences?

Much Ado About Nothing is one of those great Shakespeare plays where the comedy absolutely holds up for contemporary audiences. There are two threads of comedy — one where the dueling lovers Beatrice and Benedick are outsmarted by their friends; another with one of the Bard’s best clowns in the bumbling constable Dogberry. Each is a completely different style of comedy, ensuring that there’s something for all audiences to enjoy.

Have there been substantial cuts to the original text?

Hamlet Isn’t Dead typically makes cuts to originals, but this production has toned that down somewhat. Much Ado is such a tight, contemporary feeling script that there were only a few minor edits — combining some characters and cutting what little archaic dialogue there was. The text feels contemporary, and much of that has to do with the treatment from our outstanding cast

How has live music been incorporated into the production?

The live music is especially exciting in Much Ado. The show is accompanied throughout by an onstage band and includes original versions of the songs Shakespeare included in the play. In addition, the band plays a set of covers pre-show and at intermission to keep the atmosphere feeling festive.

By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com

Much Ado About Nothing, a production of Hamlet Isn’t Dead, is currently playing The Center at West Park, Balcony Theater on the Upper West Side of New York City. Click here for more information and tickets.