Director's Note

 Much Ado About Nothing is often considered a "problem play." Though classified as a comedy, it is little more than one deception away from tragedy. Everything seems to be tied up neatly when the curtain falls, but even the clandestine reconciliation of lovers leaves unanswered questions and an uncertain future. Can a tumultuous courtship permit the blossoming of a healthy marriage for the two pairs of lovers? We wish them the best, but fate casts and uncertain shadow on their future wedded life.

The "problem" at the heart of Much Ado largely pertains to the ambiguities of its characters. There is no blak or white in Shakespeare's Messina. A plain-dealing villian bears the weight of his illegitimate birthright. A noble count disgraces himself in an attempt to preserve his fragile honor. And a merry war becomes the prelude to a nuptual for a pair of word-sparring rivals. These "problems," however, are exactly why I chose to present this play. If these few hours of entertainment will inspire in the audience a reflective examination of man's frailties in the offices of love and honor, then we wll have done justice to this masterpiece.

I want to welcome you all to the world of Shakespeare's Messina. In it we have strived to recreate the spirit of the Renaissance--a rebirth of art, music, life, and love. The text itself was perhaps our greatest inspiration, for it is, in and of itself, a wealth of music, its very words "a fantastical banquet" that I urge you to savor. I cannot begin to express the depth of my gratitude toward the many people who helped make this produciton a reality. I was tryly blessed with a cast and crew who inspired me at every turn with their dedication, patience, creativity, and passion. It is truly their show, and I hope that all will enjoy it as much as we did putting it together.

Meredith Spisak