Folger's Festive Much Ado About Nothing
The cast of Folger's Much Ado About Nothing.
The setting, while not really transforming this production of the classic tale of bickering lovers into something new, awards a carefree, colorful spirit to the proceedings. The closing wedding scene is visually brought to life with bright, feathered head pieces. Infectious music (overseen by Craig Wallace's master of ceremonies-like D.J.) punctuates scenes, and the atmosphere is festive and congenial – even when the play is at its darkest, as the young Hero is falsely accused of being unfaithful due to the comically sinister John the Bastard's machinations, there's still an undercurrent that everything's going to work out eventually.
With the D.C. setting at its centerpiece, this means some of the focus is taken off Much Ado's typical focal point – the romantic chemistry between rivals Beatrice and Benedick. Doulgas' version of events makes it plain from the start that these two are enamored with each other, which takes a little fire out of their sparring.
Still, Howard W. Overshown's Benedick, recast as a D.C. police officer, has a casual, sly appeal, with a touch of self-knowing humility thrown in. Leslie gives a particularly heartfelt treaty to him to convince him to defend her cousin's daughter – her anguish is extremely palpable. But overall, her Beatrice is no Shrew to be tamed; in fact, like the production, she has more of a happy go lucky quality than a strong steely facade.
The supporting casting here has some high points, from Alex Perez's bumbling Dogberry, always a crowd pleaser, to the intriguing choice of casting Borachio as a woman – Dionne Audain provides a complicated portrayal of what can be a throwaway character. The production, hardly the company's first in recent years, makes for a beguiling night of theater. But one can't ignore a nagging feeling that it fails to make the most of our original Hepburn and Tracy.
Much Ado About Nothing runs through Nov. 29 at the Folger. Tickets are available online.