Reviews: Much Ado About Nothing presented by Fairfax HS
Written by Mia Hall of West Springfield High School
A beautiful resort located on the islands of Greece, with eye-catching mixtures of blue and white seen throughout the building. Vibrant colors from the lights above dance across the stage. All of this and more reflects the joy and playfulness of Fairfax High School's breathtaking production of Much Ado About Nothing.
William Shakespeare’s 16th century play Much Ado About Nothing, roughly inspired by Ludovico Ariosto’s Orlando Furioso as well as Matteo Bandello’s La Prima Parte de le Novelle, tells a hilariously tragic story of love, lies, and deceit. Throughout the play, two lovers, destined for a life together, are torn apart at the effect of the deceitful actions of a trio of villains. Meanwhile, another pair are brought together despite their endless amount of bickering.
Kat Pascual’s portrayal of the beloved Beatrice provided was nothing short of awe-inspiring. Their beautiful mixture of silliness and strong-willed determination made for a dazzling show of unabashed love and female empowerment. Pascual’s incredible performance was further elevated by Isaac Frenza’s portrayal of Benedick. With the help of his stubborn love interest, Frenza’s ability to mix Benedick’s annoying charm and slight quirkiness reflects his incredible understanding of the role. The duo’s playfulness with each other is not only humorous, but it also so gracefully incorporates the modern retelling of the story while still remaining true to Shakespeare’s writing. Even as the show progresses and becomes slightly more serious, the pair’s incredible comedic chemistry and hilarious banter continue to shine brighter than a diamond.
Nate Wheeler Smith’s take on Claudio was both laughable and heartbreakingly sincere. Claudio’s childlike playfulness and adoration in Act I and his quick switch to devastation and anger in Act II was played by Smith in a way that was delightfully sincere. When paired with his good friend, Don Pedro (Tristan Farmer), the two are humorously childlike successfully portray their characters’ strength. Both actors’ abilities to maintain the seriousness of the roles while also playing into the light heartedness of the story - all while speaking exclusively in iambic pentameter, which is positively admirable.
A play is brought to life by its set, and this production is no exception. Maya Gijon, Griffin Reinsel, and the Much Ado set crew not only accurately but beautifully reflected the setting of the gorgeous Santorini, Greece. Their incredible artistry when it comes to the onstage pool is absolutely astonishing. From draining the pool after every performance to coordinating the use of water with other technical elements, the set team’s dedication to their craft is commendable.
The incredible artistry of the production is also evident in the carefully chosen props that enhance the modern take on the show. Each prop, created by Gavin Keithley and Oscar Herbert, beautifully reflects the modern take on the show while staying true to its original intent.
Fairfax High School’s delightful production of William Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing was a complete triumph. The chemistry and love between each actor was so incredibly reflected in every single performance. Similar to how Benedick and Beatrice could not help but love one another, one absolutely cannot help but adore this incredible production.
Written by Sabrina Stefanik of James Madison High School
Grab your bathrobes and beach towels because we're going on vacation! Diving into an immersive story equipped with confusing love affairs and a Greek wedding - but this isn't Mamma Mia! It's Fairfax High School's production of the Shakespeare classic Much Ado About Nothing, with a modern (and Greek!) twist.
Written by William Shakespeare in the late 1500s, Much Ado About Nothing follows the lives of Benedick, Beatrice, Claudio, and Hero as they discover love, betrayal, and trust. Benedick and Beatrice's friends plot to get them together as Don Jane (a modern twist on Don John) plots to tear Claudio and Hero’s marriage apart, building suspense, drama, and of course, comedy.
A unique aspect of this production was the decision to put the audience onstage and limit the seating to just 150. This created a small and intimate experience, allowing for the actors to interact with the audience in a very humorous manner and submerging the audience into the Greece vacation. Despite the modern twist, the actors were still able to bring forward the spirit of Shakespeare. From their smooth dialogue and mannerisms to their physical comedy and suggestive jokes, there was an incredible blend of the modern world and the Shakespeare world, making the show more enjoyable for a current audience.
Patrolling the resort on his mall-cop scooter, Mauro Manganello played Dogberry, the cunning and stern policeman. Dogberry provides comic relief during the more emotionally charged portions of the show, and Manganello’s use of comedy was spectacular as he bossed his security team around. Manganello also did a remarkable job at engaging with the audience; he would point at people and ask them questions throughout his scenes, engrossing them and making them feel as if they were living in the show. Dogberry's character wouldn't have been complete without his iconic Segway. Manganello used the Segway as an extension of his character, and it was a principle comic element.
From bumping hips to swigging bottles, Naomi Bautista and Izzy Benavides played Margaret and Ursula, the iconic duo of the resort. Bautista and Benavides perfectly embodied their ditzy and fun characters through their party-girl energy and drunken mannerisms. They portrayed themselves as practically sisters, enchanting the audience with their humorous, electrifying, and captivating character choices.
The technical highlight of this show was the set, led by Maya Bijon and Griffin Reinsel. Inspired by modern-day Santorini, the set emulated a lavish vacation resort, creating an ambient and engaging environment for the audience to soak up. There was not a dull spot on stage. The set included decorative lights on the side of the set to help imitate the atmosphere of a European vacation. An additional set piece that can't go unnoticed was the pool in the center of the stage. The pool was an incredible addition to the show, allowing the actors to utilize it to create many hilarious moments. When the pool wasn't in use, it was covered up with ease by large wooden boards and used as a platform. The set had incredible versatility, and the actors were able to use the environment around them as an extension of their acting, forging a lifelike show that kept the audience wanting more.
Leaving this show feels like returning home from a vacation; though you wish it could continue, the memories still remain. Fairfax High School's production of Much Ado About Nothing was a mesmerizing and riveting performance, and the cast's dedication and passion made this an unforgettable show.