Hamner Theater to perform ‘Much Ado About Nothing’

IF YOU’RE GOING
WHAT: ‘Much Ado About Nothing’
WHEN: 7:30 p.m. June 25 and 26 and July 2, 3, 9 and 10; 7 p.m. June 27 and July 4 and 11; and 2 p.m. June 28 and July 5 and 12
WHERE: The Hamner Theater, located inside the Rockfish Valley Community Center in Afton
TICKETS: $10 for adults and $5 for children younger than 10, except for the July 4 outdoor show, which is $5 for everyone. Space is limited, so reservations are recommended.
INFO: (434) 361-1999 or http://www.thehamnertheater.com

The latest production to hit the Hamner Theater will be doing double duty, with performances in the Afton theater as well as at two Nelson County wineries.

Shakespeare’s “Much Ado About Nothing” which opened at the Hamner last night with a free preview and will run through July 12 (see box for details), with all Saturday shows taking place in the vineyards at 7 p.m.

The cast will be at Afton’s Cardinal Point Vineyard & Winery (http://www.cardinalpointwinery.com) on June 27 and July 4, and at Lovingston’s Mountain Cove Vineyards July 11 (http://www.mountaincovevineyards.com). In case of rain, the shows will move back to the Hamner, starting at 7:30 p.m.

“There’s always been a nostalgia for doing performances outdoors,” says director John Holdren, who is putting on the show through his own theater company, Thieving Magpie Productions.

He says this play, in particular, is well suited for it and points to Kenneth Branagh’s 1993 film adapta-tion.

“It’s just got the golden sunshine everywhere,” he says. “I understand why he did that.”

The play tells the story of soon-to-be-married Claudio and Hero, who conspire with a prince to trick their friends, Beatrice and Benedick, into admitting their feelings for each other.

Beatrice and Benedick spar frequently and share a “quick, sharp-tongued, wise-cracking relationship,” Holdren says.

Basically, they’re the forbearers for the antagonistic lovers we see so often in romantic comedies these days.

“Shakespeare anticipated the dynamic that (this couple) really likes each other, but if you listen to their words, you might not know that.”

Holdren says he loves the show for its mix of broad, slapstick comedy and “extraordinary, tear-jerking moments.

“It’s a strange combination. But when you see it on stage, it comes together beautifully.”