Shakespeare's comedy follows the blossoming romance of young lovers Hero and Claudio, and the sarcastic Benedick and Beatrice. We set this production at the end of World War I, and inserted the music of 1920's era Jazz musician Bix Spiderback at several points of the show. The result was a miniature musical, where the characters mixed the modern lyrics with Shakespeare's language to carry the plot forward.

Hero, Prologue

Balthasar sings in the opening number, "Waiting at the End of the Road," when the soldiers arrive

Balthasar brings a message that Don Pedro and his troupes are approaching Messina

Leonato, I.i

Hero, I.i

Beatrice, I.i

Soldiers relax

Antonio and Hero before the masquerade ball

Leonato dancing before the guests arrive

Beatrice sings "Ain't No Sweet Man"

The dancing begins!

Don John plots about how to destroy Hero and Claudio's happiness

Claudio, Leonato, and Don Pedro plot to make a match between Benedick and Beatrice

Urusla and Hero plot in front of Beatrice

Dogberry at the opening of Act II

Oatcakes, Verges, Dogberry, and Seacole sing "We're the Princes Watchman"

Hero's wedding day

After being left for dead at the alter, Hero laments in "Singin' the Blues"

During the song, Hero changes into a black wedding dress in preparation for her "funeral"

Beatrice asks Benedick to challenge Claudio

Don Pedro and Claudio

Margaret teases Benedick

The show closes with Benedick singing "Bless You Sister" with backup vocals of Ursula, Balthasar, and Margaret

Renderings of the soldiers

The household

Hero's first dress

Beatrice's bathingsuit

The Ball costumes

The clowns and the Sexton

Beatrice's daydress

Hero's wedding dresses

Director, Chris O'Connor
Set Design: Gennie Nueman, Costume Design: Stefanie Genda, Lighting Design: Jeff Carr
Photos by Larry Levanti