Much Ado About Nothing
at University

Reviewed on November 20, 2015

Allison Cruz
Aliso Niguel
Submitted for publication to OC Register

University's 'Much Ado' is 'Nothing' but laughter and delight

Love is in the air for the youth of Messina - however, slander and gossip begin to muddle this love into confusion and anger. As the story unravels, so do the relationships between Claudio and Hero, and Benedick and Beatrice, generating an unexpected - and hilariously absurd - sequence of outbursts and misguided revelations.

Utilizing bawdy jokes and slapstick humor, University's vivacious cast of characters revitalize this classic Shakespearean comedy.

Austin Barber strolls--or rather, parades--across the stage as the jaunty young Benedick. Barber's confident stride, matched with his warm, self-assured tone and knowing smirk, breathes life into this charming and flamboyant character.

As his quick-witted counterpart, Beatrice, played by Kathy Flores, engenders clever conversation through skillful wordplay. Her caustic tone augments the humorous irony of the story and establishes her commanding presence.

Barber and Flores are a powerhouse duo. Together, they not only seamlessly elicit laughter, but also find the realism within their occasionally absurd characters. Barber's movements change from cocksure and upright to fluid and fawning as Benedick falls for Beatrice. Similarly, Flores transforms from defiantly turning her back on men to writing passionate love letters.

Claudio and Hero, played by Dylan Cecot and Ellie Williams, form the sweet, innocent couple. Cecot grins unabashedly as he gushes about Hero, establishing Claudio as the Romeo-esque lover. Williams, on the other hand, smiles shyly as she embraces Cecot.

Yamini Nambimadom as Leonata and Christa Pehrson as Antonia guide the young lovers with their sharp advice and meddlesome interference. Nambimadom's character is the catalyst for Benedick and Beatrice's romance. Her comedic timing proves impressive as she loudly and dramatically admits that Beatrice is in love with Benedick. At the same time, Barber completes this spectacle by hiding behind bushes and potted plants.

A standout performance comes from Corinne Alsop, who plays Dogberry. Running her hands down her skirt and chanting with a distinctive Scottish brogue, Alsop exudes high energy. Verges, played by Ellena Eshraghi, acts as Alsop's right-hand man, giving her a piggyback ride all around the theater.

The candelabra, created by Darrius Estigy and Deja Allen, as well as the dimly-lit stage, designed by Quanah Lawrence, shift the tone of the comedic show to melancholic during the funeral scene.

University's captivating production is a true delight, honoring Shakespearean humor and a timeless message about loving and being loved.

Jackson Maxwell
Mission Viejo High School
Submitted for publication to OC Register

‘Nothing' but the Best in University's ‘Much Ado'

University High School's spectacular production of "Much Ado About Nothing," a classic Shakespearean comedy, follows several members of the Italian aristocracy as they are unwittingly tricked into and out of love by their peers, exploring complex themes while combining them with moments of hilarity throughout.

Walking onstage with a loose demeanor and fluid physicality, Austin Barber is farcically flirtatious as Benedick, a lord and soldier whose quest for love becomes the primary focus of the play. With careful comedic timing and a superlative understanding and presentation of his lines, Barber is a marvelous match for Kathy Flores as Beatrice, the subject of his infatuation, whose vocal precision brings to light the sarcastic subtleties of the script. Combined with a forceful stage presence that challenges the patriarchy of Renaissance Italy, she is especially entertaining in her semi-flirtatious encounters with Benedick, to whom she eventually gets married.

Contrasting in style but similarly noteworthy is Corinne Alsop as Dogberry, the town's clumsy constable whose interminable struggle to manage a ragtag team of equally incompetent sentinels (The Watch) is underscored by a hilariously hyperbolic Scottish accent and self-assured stage presence. Furthermore, her use of exaggerated gestures and an unrestrained, dynamic inflection give the impression of being perpetually intoxicated, accentuating her character's already amusing disposition.

The astounding acting, however, is underscored by similarly spectacular technical ambitions. Dong-Hyun "Banjo" Kim's sound design sets the atmosphere for each scene with ambient, natural sounds while Norhan Abolail's make-up design creates a clear distinction between upper and lower class, helping to separate the watchmen from the major characters, whose positions in the gentry are integral to the plot of the production. Helping to drive the performance is Maxwell Han's stage management, which combines over six hundred precisely timed, well-executed cues with consistently swift scene changes to produce a technically flawless performance.

Nevertheless, the most remarkable aspect of this production would have to be Danica Silan's creativity, whose originally composed music is found throughout the performance. During Hero's (Ellie Williams) funeral after her supposed death, Silan's music, despite its simplistic nature, transcends the boundaries of Shakespeare's elevated language, bringing the scene emotionally together in a unique way.

University's production proves to be equally intellectual and hysterical, breaking down the antiquated language of Shakespeare to be enjoyed by a modern audience.

Stephanie Chang
Northwood
Submitted for publication to OC Cappies Facebook

University presents a hilarious ‘Much Ado'

A relaxing, original song lights up a beige Italian villa where women socialize in the idyllic town of Messina, home to University High School's charming production of Shakespeare's renowned comedy, "Much Ado About Nothing."

With well-timed comedy and subtle smirks, Austin Barber portrays Benedick, a clever soldier who stands firmly against marriage until his friends trick him into falling in love. Barber swaggers across the stage with raised eyebrows and a subtle smirk as he swears that he will never marry. His demeanor shifts from proud defiance to awkward incredulity as he sneaks from bush to bush to eavesdrop on his friends' staged conversation and realizes his budding feelings for Beatrice. Opposite Barber is Kathy Flores as the sarcastic Beatrice, whose quick wit manifests in Flores's mocking tone and sassy posture. Flores stands with her hands on her hips as she returns Benedick's taunts with her own sardonic quips.

Both Ellie Williams and Yamini Nambimadom stand out as Hero and her mother, Leonata. Williams's realistic expressions of shock and heartbreak when Hero is accused of infidelity are complemented by Nambimadom's powerful voice as Leonata becomes enraged at her daughter's alleged shame. Nambimadom delivers a complex Leonata when grabbing Hero's dress in a fury, only to melt into uncontrollable grief over her daughter's defamation.

Providing perfectly timed comedic relief are Corinne Alsop as Dogberry and the Watch. Alsop ambles down the stage with wild gesticulations and a dose of cockiness while each watchman's unique quirk creates a cohesive and consistently hilarious company.

The two story set piece built by Uni Tech Theatre provides an Italian villa feel that is era appropriate and features meticulously painted doorways and ornately designed balcony railings. Well-placed angled bushes create depth and provide the actors with an easy space to hide behind in comical scenes. Lighting design by Quanah Lawrence cleverly utilizes shadows to exaggerate the appearance of foliage and transitions from a cool, bright blue to a warm, dimmed orange to indicate the passage of time.

Danica Silan's composition brings whole scenes together as her playful riffs in "Sigh No More" welcome the audience into the city of Messina. Her a cappella funeral song, combined with a black out, proves effective in its simplicity, emphasizing the heartbreak of Hero's staged death.

Marked by unique tunes and perfectly timed comedy, University puts on a fresh and well-executed version of this classic tale.