Much Ado: Shakespeare Unplugged and Outdoors

Elings Park’s two-production experiment in bringing Shakespeare to its charming Godric Grove amphitheater this summer winds up with a pair of performances of Much Ado About Nothing from UCSB’s Naked Shakes, the Irwin Appel-founded-and-directed company that employs minimal props and costumes to keep the focus on the acting and the Bard’s prose. Ado, which boasts budding romances persevering against villains and potential catastrophes, is considered an early rom-com masterpiece full of witty banter and sticky situations. Ado examines the silliness of human nature and of our mating rituals – and handily fulfills our collective desire for happy endings.

The 20-something-strong cast tell the story complete with choreography and live music from a jazz quintet, taking full advantage of the great outdoors at the top of Elings for the September 6-8 shows. Visit www.elingspark.org.