Theater-901 will present William Shakespeare’s satire, “Much Ado About Nothing” with a theatrical twist: a choose-your-own-story plotline for the audience. “In any relationship you only get half the story. If your friends are in a relationship, they are only going to tell you their perspective,” said Arianna Chang ’13, who directed the show. “The show is based off that same concept. So, when audience members come in, they will be placed with either the male or female half of the show. They will follow the male or female perspective. [The play] is a great play to do that with.” The play opens when Don Pedro of Aragon, played by Julius Ross ’13, comes to the city of Messina with his entourage of loyal men, which includes main protagonists Claudio, played by Kory Stuer ’15 and Benedick, played by Vincent Mocco ’15, to visit his friend, Leonato, the Lord of Messina, played by Andries Feder ’13. Along with Don Pedro comes Don John, a scheming and ill-willed man. The plot thickens as Claudio and Benedick encounters the fair Hero, Leonato’s daughter, played by Emma Kukielski ’15 and the sarcastic Beatrice, Leonato’s niece, played by Esther Cohen ’14. While Claudio falls hopelessly in love with Hero, romantic tension begins to build between Beatrice and Benedick. The double perspective enhances the audience’s understanding of the play as it gives a different backstory to the banter between Benedick and Beatrice, who initially appear to hate each other. “You see a scene that will give you the same information as the another scene, but from one point of view. This ‘choose your own adventure’ aspect of the play will allow people to feel as if they are in the play as opposed to watching it,” said Mocco. “I think this is completely applicable to Andover, because people, especially teenagers, are constantly only getting one part of a story at any one time,” wrote Julius Ross ’13 in an e-mail to The Phillipian. “Much Ado about Nothing” will show Saturday, May 29, 2013, at 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. in George Washington Hall. Admission is free.
