Much about Much Ado

Hey theatre fans,

This is one time it really is worth dishing out the dough to see a Broadway show, and up close if you can.

I paid $400+ for a row G seat (7 rows from stage) and I could see the blue of Tom Hiddleston's eyes.

What a dynamic performance! They've adapted Much Ado into a musical for all intents and purposes (makes me wonder why no one has literally adapted it into a musical before). The performers have so much energy not only dancing (sometimes quite erotically) but in all their stage movement (of which there is much).

Alas, to make room for the recorded and performed songs they had to make cuts: no Dogberry and Co., and many of the other minor characters. But it didn't really matter. The best parts of W.S.'s comedy are all there: Benedick and Beatrice's repartee, the Duke and his posse setting up Benedick to think Beatrice is in love with him (and Ben's eavesdropping), and the same with Hero and company setting up Beatrice to think Benedick loves her. The serious parts are still there (although Don John's villainy is somewhat lightened).

Costumes were wonderful--especially in the masked ball scene.

Key part of the set is a giant pulsating (to the music) pink heart that is abstract but becomes 3-D.

I don't get why the picture to advertise (and purchase on a poster or refrigerator) doesn't have Tom and Hayley smiling. Weird.

But if you're looking for a Shakespeare show to try to turn on young people to the Bard, this is the one. It's metatheatrical tricks are pulled off mostly by TH with great charisma and charm.

Would love to see this multiple times, but a state college English prof has only so much time and money.

Don't miss the party!

You joined just to post this? Be gone, shill.