MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING Opens 3/1 at Long Beach Playhouse

Community theatre is no stranger to William Shakespeare. And so Shakespeare's spirited romantic comedy Much Ado About Nothing opens on the Playhouse main stage March 1 and runs through March 29, 2014.

Directed by Playhouse technical director, Sean Gray, Much Ado offers a tale of two courtships: Beatrice and Benedick elevate the art of the quarrel in their duel of glittering wordplay, while Claudio and Hero are instantly smitten with one another. However, the scheming and envious Don John vows to ruin Claudio and Hero's happiness. Comical officers challenge dastardly villains, honor and desire collide -- and a story filled with laughter and love unfolds.

Nicholas Thurkettle and Kate Felton play the roles of Benedick and Beatrice respectively. Thurkettle's credits include Renfield in the critically acclaimed Playhouse Studio production of Dracula and several mentionable Shakespeare projects with Shakespeare Orange County and his alma mater, Bradley University. Felton, who has been seen in such Playhouse productions as Lion in Winter, A Flea In Her Ear, and Voice of the Turtle is a Long Beach native who has been performing since the tender age of six.

The cast includes Cort Huckabone as the prince Don Pedro and Bob Fetes as Leonato, Hero's father and Beatrice's uncle. Playing Don John, the bastard brother of Don Pedro is Lee Samuel Tanng, all three no stranger to LBP's stages. Lilliana Carrillo appears as Ursula and Evan Battle as the longing Claudio. Both are newcomers to the Playhouse stage. Dean Figine takes the stage as Dogberry, the constable who is a master of malapropisms.

Greg Fritsche has designed the 1930s manor locations for the play, Donna Fritsche designs the gorgeous costumes.

SPECIAL EVENTS FOR THIS PLAY:

• Pay what you can Thursday on Feb. 27 - community can see this production for whatever they can afford
• Two for One Preview Friday on Feb. 28 - Tickets are $12.00
• Opening Night Champagne Reception with cast on March 1 - Tickets are $27.00

Adults are $24.00, seniors $21.00, and Students $14.00.

Tickets are available at www.lbplayhouse.org, or by calling 562-494-1014, option 1.

Long Beach Playhouse is located at 5021 E. Anaheim St., Long Beach, CA, 90804, right across from the Long Beach Recreation golf course. The Playhouse is community-supported theatre with programs and events that cut across age, gender, ethnic, and cultural boundaries.

Performances are 8 p.m. Friday, and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. The box office is open Wednesday-Saturday from 3:00-8:00 pm & Sundays from 1:00-2:00 pm on scheduled matinees only. For more information or to purchase tickets visit www.lbplayhouse.org or call 562-494-1014.

Photo by Jonathan Lewis