Actors' Renaissance 2020
Too wise to woo peaceably
Beatrice loves Benedick. Benedick loves Beatrice. So what’s the problem? Feel the joy of love won and the ache of love lost as this story makes you laugh, breaks your heart, and then somehow puts it back together again.
SPECIAL EVENTS
Dr. Ralph Presents | Friday, Jan. 24 & more at 5:00pm
Discovery Space | Sunday, Jan. 26, Feb. 2, & more at 11:00am
Talkback Thursdays | Every Thursday after the performance
Sylvie Davidson performs music for MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING, 2020. Photo by Lindsey Walters.
Jessika Williams and KP Powell in MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING, 2020. Photo by Lindsey Walters.
KP Powell, David Anthony Lewis, Ronald Román-Meléndez, and Constance Swain in MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING, 2020. Photo by Lindsey Walters.
David Anthony Lewis, Constance Swain, Renea Brown, and Brandon Carter in MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING, 2020. Photo by Lindsey Walters.
Jessika Williams and Meg Rodgers in MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING, 2020. Photo by Lindsey Walters.
Chris Johnston, Brandon Carter, and Sylvie Davidson in MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING, 2020. Photo by Lindsey Walters.
Benjamin Reed, David Anthony Lewis, Sylvie Davidson, and Renea Brown in MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING, 2020. Photo by Lindsey Walters.
Zoe Speas, Constance Swain, and KP Powell in in MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING, 2020. Photo by Lindsey Walters.
Jessika Williams and Meg Rodgers in MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING, 2020. Photo by Lindsey Walters.
Jessika Williams and Meg Rodgers in MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING, 2020. Photo by Lindsey Walters.
Cast
Jessika D. Williams *
Benedick
THIS SEASON: Lady Capulet in Romeo and Juliet and Balthazar, Courtesan, Jailer, Messenger in The Comedy of Errors; Dance Captain.
Meg Rodgers *
Beatrice
THIS SEASON: Hero in MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING, Hamlet in HAMLET, First Citizen in CORIOLANUS
Constance Swain *
Hero
Constance Swain is an innovative director whose bold vision and creative energy inspire captivating storytelling at ASC and beyond.
Ronald Román-Meléndez *
Don Pedro
Ronald Román-Meléndez is an accomplished actor with over 30 previous roles at the American Shakespeare Center.
Zoe Speas
Don John, Sexton
THIS SEASON:
David Anthony Lewis *
Leonato, Oatcake
David Anthony Lewis is an accomplished Actor with over 70 professional theatre credits A Christmas Carol 2024 is his 36th production with ASC.
John Harrell
Antonio, Verges
PREVIOUSLY WITH ASC: 27 seasons and over 200 roles including Falstaff in Henry IV, Parts 1 & 2; Brutus in Julius Caesar; Iago in Othello; Guildenstern in Rosencrantz and Guildenstern …
K.P. Powell *
Claudio
K.P. Powell is an actor and director with the American Shakespeare Center, known for his dynamic performances and bold storytelling on stage and off.
Brandon Carter *
Borachio, Friar Francis
Brandon Carter was the Artistic Director of the American Shakespeare Center from January 2022-March 2024.
Benjamin Reed *
Dogberry, Boy, Messenger
Benjamin has been a resident company member with the American Shakespeare Center since 2014.
Chris Johnston
Conrade, Balthasar
Chris Johnston has over 20 years of theatre experience and more than 120 productions at the American Shakespeare Center.
Sylvie Davidson *
Margaret, Seacoal
THIS SEASON: Margaret, George Seacoal in Much Ado about Nothing; Mistress Quickly, Travers, Bullcalf, Davy in Henry IV, Part 2; Spaconia in A King…
Danielle A. Festa
Understudy
THIS SEASON: Valentine, Officer, Swing in Twelfth Night; Swing in Othello
Renea S. Brown
Ursula, Understudy
THIS SEASON: Ursula in Much Ado about Nothing; Understudy in Henry IV, Part 2; Understudy in Henry IV, Part 1; Messenger, Woman, Understudy in A King
Sam Saint Ours *
Understudy
Sam Saint Ours is a talented actor and music director known for his dynamic performances and musical contributions at the American Shakespeare Center.
Artistic Team
Adrienne Johnson Butler *
Assistant Stage Manager
Adrienne was the ASC’s Interim Production Manager.
- After a recent military victory, Don Pedro of Aragon and his troops arrive in Messina where they are welcomed by Leonato, the governor.
- Beatrice (Leonato’s niece) and Benedick (Don Pedro’s friend) verbally spar with one another. Both adamantly swear they will never fall in love.
- Claudio, another of Don Pedro’s contingent, tells Benedick that he is in love with Hero, Leonato’s daughter. Benedick shares this news with Don Pedro.
- In an effort to help, Don Pedro plans to woo Hero on Claudio’s behalf and obtains Leonato’s consent for their marriage.
- Leonato and his brother Antonio prepare for the evening’s festivities and mistakenly think Don Pedro plans to marry Hero himself.
- Don Pedro’s bastard brother Don John rejects his sidekick Conrade’s advice to play nice and make up with his brother. Instead, he villainously opts to disrupt the lovers’ plans.
- At the party, Don John convinces Claudio that Don Pedro has successfully wooed Hero for himself.
- Don Pedro and Leonato undeceive Claudio and plan for the pair to wed. Don Pedro proposes a plot to make Beatrice and Benedick fall in love.
- Don John devises another scheme against Claudio enlisting Borachio, another of his men, to make Claudio believe Hero has been unfaithful.
- Arranging for Benedick to eavesdrop on them, Don Pedro, Claudio, and Leonato spin elaborate falsehoods alleging Beatrice’s love for Benedick.
- Arranging for Beatrice to eavesdrop on them, Hero and Ursula (her gentlewoman) spin elaborate falsehoods alleging Benedick’s love for Beatrice.
- Don John tells Claudio that Hero is unfaithful and promises to provide proof. Claudio vows to break off the wedding if the accusations are true.
- Dogberry the Constable and his partner Verges prepare their watchmen for the night patrol.
- Public shaming, love vows, murder plans, and redemption ensue.
Wondering what exactly the Actors’ Renaissance is? Want to learn more about our deepest dive into Shakespeare’s performance conditions? Check out our blog post: