PNC Theatre to Stage Shakespeare’s “Much Ado About Nothing”

PNC-Much-Ado-About-NothingPNC Theatre and the PNC Players of Purdue University North Central will present a production of William Shakespeare's beloved comedy "Much Ado About Nothing" at the Mainstreet Theatre in Michigan City.

The public is invited to the performances at the Mainstreet Theatre, 807 Franklin St., on opening night Saturday April 16, at 8 p.m.; Sunday April 17, at 3 p.m.; Friday April 22 at 8 p.m. and Saturday April 23 at 8 p.m.

Tickets are $10 for general admission and $5 for PNC students presenting a valid student ID.

The production is directed by Dr. Paul Hecht, PNC assistant professor of English. On Sunday, April 18, Hecht will present a pre-show talk in the Mainstreet Theatre upper lobby at 2 p.m. to give ticket holders an overview of the play, and to discuss Shakespeare and his writing.

What do we have in "Much Ado"? A man who's against settling down with any women in particular and a woman who prefers her liberty, thanks very much, to the yoke of marriage; the fun-loving Spanish prince who decides to trick those two into falling for each other; his bastard brother intent on making everyone miserable; an unlikely, bumbling local cop who might be the man to stop him; shy young lovers, who hardly know each other; some old guys who might still have some fight in them; an ingenious friar; various lords, ladies, ruffians, and working stiffs-this is the world of Messina on the northern tip of Sicily in Shakespeare's summery, fast-paced, madcap, and much-loved comedy.

The PNC Players are Aram Arden, LaPorte; Suzanne Bartholomew, Michigan City; Mark Benoit, Hobart; Jason Curtis, LaPorte; Vera Gaston, Michigan City; Rick Hallett, Michigan City; Jeremy Harris, Michigan City; Jordan Hart, Portage; Allyson Holt, New Carlisle; Jamie Lakes, Portage; Jonathon Meyers, Michigan City; Alyssa Moskwa, Valparaiso; Catherine Rybecki, Portage; Abagael Schmidt, Long Beach; Justin Sech, Kouts; Iris Thacker, Tab, Ind.; Holly Trott, LaPorte; Teresa West, LaPorte; Elyse Winter, LaPorte. The crew members are Emily Altemus, Midlothian, Ill.; Karen Arden, LaPorte; Aaron Garrett, Michigan City; Denise Curtis, LaPorte and Charles Trott, LaPorte.

The performance will feature, for the third consecutive year, music by Chicago area composer Rob Clearfield, performed live by the composer. New this year will be dance choreography by noted Chicago dancer and instructor Ariane Dolan, a member of the faculty of the Lou Conte Dance Studio, who comes to PNC fresh off a performance in the hit Drury Lane Oakbrook production of "Spamalot."


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Phone: 219-785-5200

Tickets may be purchased from the Mainstreet Theatre of Michigan City. More information is available at http://www.pnc.edu/engl/theatre. To obtain further information or reserve tickets contact the theatre at 219-874-4269 or email phecht@pnc.edu. Tickets not sold in advance will be available at the door.

Photo: Elyse Winter and Justin Sech practice a scene from "Much Ado About Nothing"