Through various challenges, a Wilmington tradition continues with take on Shakespeare play
Since 1993, Cape Fear Shakespeare has been staging an annual Shakespearean production at Wilmington's Greenfield Lake Amphitheater, with actors doing battle (and mostly winning) against the sounds of nearby train whistles, ambulance and police sirens, the occasional baseball game at Legion Stadium and the legion of frogs who strike up a chorus every night at sundown.
It truly is a Wilmington tradition like none other.
And while the experience changed when the amphitheater stage was built in 2008 (they used to have to build sets on a concrete slab), and has changed again since Live Nation took over its placard-strewn management of the 1962 venue (Cape Fear Shakespeare isn't allowed to use the concession stand for some reason?), having an outdoor Shakespearean drama to see each June has been a defining factor of Wilmington's summer arts scene for decades now.
This year, Kendra Goehring, who for the past 20 years has been best-known as an outstanding leading lady in musicals at Thalian Hall, brings her directorial skills to bear for "Much Ado About Nothing." The result is one of the liveliest and most engaging productions Cape Fear Shakespeare has staged in years.
The comedy — which concerns Benedick and Beatrice (Kaleb Edward Edley and Morganna Bridgers), who think they hate each other until they're tricked into coupledom, and Claudio and Hero (Josh Avery and Sierra Fiskin), a loving duo kept apart by malevolent machinations — runs through June 28 at Greenfield Lake Amphitheater. (Cape Fear Shakespeare Youth Co.'s production of "Romeo and Juliet" also runs this month; check the company's Facebook page for show dates or see below.)
Goehring gets the cast moving around, doing scenes in front of the stage, in the aisles, and even has one character acting from the seats next to audience members at one point. A revelrous first-act dance break set to a chamber-music version of A-ha's '80s classic "Take On Me" is not only a fun highlight but serves to keep the action swirling around the amphitheater, both on and off stage.
Of course, moving the actors around wouldn't do much if the actors weren't good, and the cast, clad in Victorian-style costumes, is outstanding.
Edley brings a compelling presence and forceful wit to the role of the arrogant, love-averse Benedick, while Bridgers pours her comic physicality into a fierce performance as the no-nonsense Beatrice.
Tony Choufani gives off supervillian vibes as Don John, the trouble-causing brother of the prince, Don Pedro, played with easy authority by Benjamin Thomas-Reid. Jerry Winsett starts slowly as dimwitted, malaprop-spouting constable Dogberry but gradually gears up into comedic overdrive.
Elsewhere, Caylan McKay lends a playful sense of absurdity to Don John's henchman Borachio; Katherine Rudeseal blends a regal air with a mother's care as the governess Leonata; Daniel Boonbumrung's golden voice shines during a stately solo in one scene; and Avery and Fiskin are the picture of glowing, impetuous youth as the lovers Claudio and Hero.
Even better, the whole thing comes in at just over two hours, with intermission. Bring a picnic and some cash for a donation to keep this beautiful Wilmington tradition going.
Want to go?
What: "Much Ado About Nothing," by William Shakespeare, presented by Cape Fear Shakespeare and the city of Wilmington
When: 6:30 p.m. gates, 8 p.m. curtain June 14-16, 21-23, 26 and 28
Where: Greenfield Lake Amphitheater, 1941 Amphitheater Drive, Wilmington
Info: Cape Fear Shakespeare Youth Co. production of "Romeo and Juliet" is 8 p.m. June 12-13, 17, 19-20 and 24-25.
Details: Free admission, with donations accepted. Picnics allowed, concessions available.
This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Theater review: Cape Fear Shakespeare's 'Much Ado About Nothing'
