Wolfpack Theatre Company presents Shakespeare comedy ‘Much Ado About Nothing’
Hero, played by Isabelle McKoy, Leonato (Hero's father and Beatrice's uncle), played by Ethan Lopez and Beatrice, played by Grace Miller star in the Wolfpack Theatre Company’s production of “Much Ado About Nothing.” (Courtesy photo)
Following the tangled relationships of two very different couples, the Wolfpack Theatre Company brings Shakespeare’s romantic tragic comedy “Much Ado About Nothing” to the stage on Jan. 15 and 16.
The play begins at 6:33 pm. in the Wolfpack Theatre.
Advanced tickets for the show are available on GoFan, Glacier’s on-line ticketing service, and at Photo Video Plus. Any remaining tickets will also be sold at the door. Ticket prices are $8 for adults and $6 for children, students and senior citizens. To access the ticketing service, go to gofan.co and search for Glacier High School. Each showtime is listed for ticket purchase.
Written by Shakespeare in 1598-1599, “Much Ado About Nothing” is one of the playwright’s best-loved works. Benedick and Beatrice are quick-witted, fiercely independent, and locked in a constant battle of words, while Claudio and Hero share a sweet, innocent love threatened by lies and jealousy.
“‘Much Ado’ is an amazing story. To sum it up, it's about love. This play shows the theme of love all throughout the story … the support of familial love, the excitement of romance, and the joy of friendship,” said student director and GHS junior, Noel Cantrell. “The ups and downs of every type of love are a part of life and this show highlights that reality with a humorous touch.”
Filled with mismatched lovers, squabbling brothers, comic constables, and Shakespeare’s signature wit, “Much Ado About Nothing” is not only a comedy, but a sharp look at human relationships. The themes of love, trust, and pride are timeless and relatable today. Benedick and Beatrice's hilarious bickering eventually turns into something more, while Claudio and Hero's romance faces betrayal and doubt. The scheming Don John adds tension by trying to ruin the couple’s happiness, making for a fast-paced and entertaining experience full of twists and turns.
“The plot of ‘Much Ado’ demonstrates that lies can be spread faster than fire, but no matter how great the lie is, the truth will always be revealed,” said Cantrell. “Besides the intriguing and humorous plot, my favorite part of this show is how much fun it is to create. The actors get creative freedom on how to go about the jokes, they get to interact with the audience and learn how to push their acting to another level. I get to experiment with costumes, set, era, and even the gender of certain characters. If you have seen ‘Much Ado’ before, this play won’t be the exact same, and that is the amazing part about the process.”
This production of “Much Ado” is produced by the Advanced Acting Ensemble class under the direction of Greg Adkins. As part of a complete GHS theatre curriculum, the Advanced Acting Ensemble class gives students the opportunity to further develop their character portrayal skills and discipline required of an actor. Along with a student-produced class production, students perform a variety of monologue and ensemble performances, along with experiences to assist the student in analyzing a script and understanding the role of the actor in the production process.
“Being a student director has taught me so much. I am so grateful for this opportunity. I will have to be honest and say that it has been challenging, but I will never look back and regret directing,” said Cantrell. “It has forced me to grow as not only a student and leader, but as a person. At the same time, I have also grown my love for theater and ability to interpret it on a much deeper level.”
The students involved in this production bring a fresh and engaging energy, proving that the humor and insight of Shakespeare’s work still resonates today. Whether you’re new to the play or a long-time fan of the Bard’s work, this show offers something for everyone.
The cast of “Much Ado” includes Ethan Lopez, Abigail Haley, Grace Miller, Theron Wilton, Zaden Stout, Thomas Alexander, Calvin Casey, Zach Nases, Megan Mikelson, Isabelle McKoy, Kay Perigen, Faith Fernandez, Parker Scherer and Kaylin Stein.
Behind the scenes, Anya Rountree, Drew Crane, Lincoln Shumard, Myla Lamson, Tregan Blades, Lillie Groom, Jack Boone, Ayden Mintz, Naemi Creighton and Eli Sanderson Strutz make up the stage, lighting and sound crew.