The Ghostlight Theater in Benton Harbor is preparing to present Much Ado About Nothing. The Ghostlight filled us in:
William Shakespeare’s uproarious comedy Much Ado About Nothing, directed by Kristina McCloskey will kick off the 2023 GhostLight Theatre summer season on Thursday, May 11th at 7:30pm, in the Arts District of Benton Harbor. This will mark the 4th season of summer theatre offerings since the GhostLight premiered in June of 2019.
“I am delighted to return to The Ghostlight Theatre to adapt and direct a new imagination of one of my very favorite Shakespeare plays” says Director Kristina McCloskey. “Our previous production was unfortunately shut down after our opening night due to COVID, and with previous cast members as well as some new ones for this production, we are thrilled to have the opportunity to share accessible, down-to-earth, in-your-face Shakespeare with audiences this spring.”
This production of Much Ado About Nothing is set in a 1940s house party for soldiers returning home after basic training. This merry band of actors will create a nostalgic environment of friends reuniting to have a merry home performance of the play, with some twists along the way. We encourage audience members to laugh, choose favorites, and be present with us in the space as our guests in this home.
Here’s a quick synopsis: Returning from war, the Prince Don Pedro and his dear friends Benedick and Claudio (along with the Prince’s villainous half-brother, Don John) visit the home of Leonato for some rest and merriment. Claudio instantly falls for Leonato’s daughter, Hero, and Hero’s cousin Beatrice resumes her merry war of wits with Benedick. An engagement is brokered, a plot to make Benedick and Beatrice fall in love is hatched, along with some treacherous plans courtesy of Don John and his fellows. Eavesdropping, misdirection and misunderstanding run amok, leading to love falling apart, a feigned death, a challenge to duel, and much more. Want to see if we find our happy ending? Get your tickets today!
The cast of Much Ado About Nothing includes Meg Hamel as Beatrice, Beth Ward as Benedick, Robert Briggs as Leonato, Lauren Yor’el Scott as Hero, Payton Deegan as Claudio, Martel Burton as Prince (Don Pedro), Lia McCoskey as Don John/Sexton, Bill Klein as Dogberry/Friar, Abigail Taylor as Margaret/Conrade/Oat-Cake and Shannon Mitchell as Ursula/Borachio/Verges as well as Set Designs by John Taylor and Cindy Jakeway.
“We couldn’t be more excited about our fourth summer season here at The GhostLight Theatre”, says General Manager and Artistic Director Paul Mow. “These particular shows are sure to take our audiences on three very different journeys of exploration, love, humor, heartache and self-awareness.”
The GhostLight Theatre season continues in June with the smash-hit Tony-Award winning musical “Cabaret”, directed by Paul Mow with choreography by Paige Mulick and Music Direction by Joshua Goines, along with the contemporary musical love story “Once” based on the award-winning film of the same name, directed by Spencer Diedrick with Musical Direction by Joshua Goines and Burke Lokey(St. Joseph High School Orchestra Director).
Sponsors for Much Ado About Nothing include Mead & White Electrical, Timothy’s Restaurant, B&L Information Systems, The Cheese Lady St. Joseph, The Berrien Community Foundation, and The Inn at Harbor Shores.
In addition to our excitement on Thursday opening nights, the GhostLight is proud to partner once again with Bread+Bar on our “First Friday Afterglow” events, held at Bread+Bar every opening Friday after each show. Also, we look forward to offering food trucks preceding our Saturday evening shows beginning at 5pm until curtain at 7:30pm, with seating just outside our front door. In addition, Forte Coffee will be available for purchase before our Sunday 3pm matinees as well!
Tickets for all GhostLight Theatre productions are $28 for adults, $22 for seniors and $12 for students 18 and under or with student ID. More information and tickets can be found at www.GhostLightBH.com.
GhostLight Theatre 2023 Season Dates and Details:
May 11 – 21: “Much Ado About Nothing”, directed by Kristina McCoskey.
June 15 – 25: “Cabaret”, directed by Paul Mow. Musical direction by Joshua Goines. Choreography by Paige Mulick.
Aug 10-20: “Once”, directed by Spencer Diedrick. Musical direction by Burke Lokey and Joshua Goines.
Tickets range from $12-$28 and subscription packages (through May 21st) can be purchased at https://www.ghostlightbh.com/currentseason
