Much Ado About Nothing/Anima at Island Shakespeare Festival

Opening July 18 on Whidbey Island, Island Shakespeare Festival’s 16th season features fearless who women defy the status quo, rewrite the rules, and prove that love and selfhood are not a choice—they’re a revolution.

Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare-In a world where words are weapons and wit is a shield, Beatrice refuses to be anything but fiercely intelligent and independent—until she finds herself caught in a battle of the heart with the equally sharp-tongued Benedick. Meanwhile, her gentle cousin Hero faces a trial of public shame and betrayal, testing the strength of her quiet resolve. Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing is a sparkling comedy of deception, honor and unexpected love, where women must carve their own paths amid a society eager to define them.

Anima (or Her Soul) by Amelia Rosselli-The art world is rarely considered the intersection of passion and propriety. But painter Olga de Velaris finds herself at just that crossroads, testing the limits of how much she can express. In 1890’s Rome, she is surrounded by women who must navigate the tightrope of reputation, desire and survival. Anima is a powerful, rarely staged drama that lays bare the tension between self-determination and the longing for connection, revealing that love—when truly seen—does not have to mean surrender. Slightly Chekhovian and most-likely one of the earliest plays that takes on #MeToo themes with nuance and heart, this disarming and award-winning play is a rewarding dive into one woman's quest to find her true place in love and in the world.

Event Date(s): July 18 – Aug. 31

Type of Event: Outdoor Theater

Venue: Island Shakespeare Festival, 5476 Maxwelton Road, Langley, WA

Price: Pay What You Will/or reserve a seat for $36

Reference Link: https://www.islandshakespearefest.org/index.html