Flatwater Shakespeare Brings *Much Ado* to Lincoln!

The award-winning Flatwater Shakespeare Company's Summer 2013 open-air production, William Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing, loves the 1980s.

Directed by Becky Key Boesen, Much Ado About Nothing runs June 6 - 9 and 12 - 16, 7:00 p.m., at the Lincoln Community Foundation Garden, located on “N” Street, between 14th and Centennial Mall, in downtown Lincoln. The show will then play Thursday through Sunday evenings, June 20 - 30 at eight Lincoln area parks and other outdoor venues. Performances are free, although a donation of $10 is suggested. Call 402-473-2897 for performance information.

Much Ado About Nothing demonstrates how appearances can deceive, how music can mislead, and how two people who claim they can't stand one another can fall in love. In the eyes of Benedick, the lady Beatrice appears to be a Hall-and-Oates-style “Maneater,” and at the same time Beatrice looks at Benedick and is convinced that she would rather hear her dog bark at a crow than hear a man – especially him – swear he loves her. Those convictions will alter, delightedly.

Director Becky Key Boesen has brought together a wonderfully comedic and musical ensemble. Sasha Dobson and Brad Boesen play the battling Beatrice and Benedick. Emma Gruhl is Hero, beloved and unwittingly belied by Alexander Jeffrey as Claudio. Richard Eishoeffel is the well-meaning Don Pedro and Tyler Hale the malignant Don John. Tom Crew is the lovably bumbling Constable Dogberry. Other Flatwater Shakespeare veterans include Scott Herr, Christian Novotny, Paul Pearson, and Margy Ryan. Other newcomers are Eli Brown, Margery Dunkle, Karen Freimund Wills, Erik Gosnell, Ian McKercher, Ethan Ness, Lisa Elle Steiner, and Cale Yates.

Joining the creative team are Kat Cover, costumes; Richard Schroeder, lighting; Richard Imig, set construction; Michelle Zinke, stage manager; Jarrod Paitz, production assistant; and Stephen Buhler, dramaturg. The production is supervised by Artistic Director Bob Hall and the tour is coordinated by Andy Dillehay.

The production and tour have received generous support from the Lincoln Community Foundation and the Woods Charitable Fund and are being presented in cooperation with The Lincoln Department of Parks and Recreation, Wyuka Cemetery, Ivanna Cone, Henry's on South, and The Haymarket Theatre. In keeping with our mission to engage new audiences for classic theater, we are offering admission to all performances of Much Ado About Nothing free of charge. We suggest a freewill donation of  $10 to help keep Shakespeare in the parks and under the stars, but our policy is – donate what you can.

The Production and Touring Schedule:

June 6-9 and 12-16 – Lincoln Community Foundation Garden (near 15th and N)

June 20 – Henry Park (S. 44th and Prescott)

June 21 – Havelock Park (N. 64th and Ballard)

June 22 – Densmore Park (6761 S. 14th)

June 23 – Irvingdale Park (S. 20th and Van Dorn)

June 27 – Wyuka Pond (36th and O)

June 28 – Wyuka Pond (36th and O)

June 29 – Belmont Park (N. 12th and Judson)

June 30 – Bethany Park (N. 65th and Vine)

On July 25, 26, and 27, Flatwater Shakespeare and Nebraska Youth Theatre will stage a Youth version of the play, directed by Jordan Deffenbaugh. Performances will take place at The Haymarket Theatre, 803 “Q” Street. Showtimes are 7:00 pm all three dates, with a 2:00 pm matinee added on July 27. Call 402-477-2600 for more information. This production has been supported by Humanities Nebraska.

For additional information, visit flatwatershakespeare.org and haymarkettheatre.org.