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Love and deception take over in the Shakespearean comedy Much Ado About Nothing, the summer opener for Kentucky Shakespeare starting this week.
Much Ado About Nothing will take place every night except Mondays from July 12-29 at 8:30 p.m. with a pre-show beginning at 7 p.m. All performances are to happen in Central Park, located at the corner of 4th and Magnolia Streets [3] in the Old Louisville area.
The shows are free to attend (Bring a blanket or lawn chair. You'll need it.), but for $20, VIP seating (which includes frozen drinks, wait service, Adirondeck chairs, and others) may also be available. Check availability on the seats by calling Kentucky Shakespeare at 502-574-9900.
Valet service will also be available before some shows for $10, with the drop-off place being at the corner of Magnolia and St. James. Call Kentucky Shakespeare for more information on the service.
The pre-show entertainment will include a variety of local groups, including Damaged Goods, The Neti Pots, Gavin Caster, Dan Bowlds, The Sunfish Tumblers, and others. A complete list of performers, including dates and times of performance, can be found at the Kentucky Shakespeare [4] website.
Much Ado About Nothing features Claudio, a nobleman, who falls in love with Hero, the daughter of another respected nobleman. Beatrice and Benedick, somewhere among their insults, also wind up falling in love. However, Don John is looking to ruin whatever delightful plans the couples have. Along the way, the production explores themes of social grace, deception, and honor, among other themes.
Jane Page directed Much Ado About Nothing, which according to the Kentucky Shakespeare website, is supposed to take on a "Gunsmoke meets Shakespeare" feel.
Following Much Ado About Nothing, Kentucky Shakespeare will present Measure for Measure. That production will open in August. More information on this and other events coming from Kentucky Shakespeare this summer can be found at this link [5].
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(Image from Kentucky Shakespeare)