Full cast announced for MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING; previews begin Sept. 10


photo by Heidi Bohnenkamp
 

COMPLETE CASTING ANNOUNCED FOR
WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE'S
MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING

Daniel Gerroll and Dearbhla Molloy to lead the romantic comedy
showcasing Shakespeare at its best and love in its prime

Production supported by National Endowment for the Arts and
$25,000 Shakespeare in American Communities grant 

Previews begin September 10; Opening September 16;
Playing through November 5, 2011
on the Wurtele Thrust Stage at the Guthrie Theater, Minneapolis

(Minneapolis/St. Paul) The Guthrie Theater today announced complete casting for William Shakespeare's romantic comedy Much Ado About Nothing, directed by Joe Dowling and playing September 10 - November 5, 2011, on the Wurtele Thrust Stage.

As previously announced British theater, television and film actor Daniel Gerroll (A Christmas Carol, Pygmalion) will team with Tony Award-nominated Dearbhla Molloy (Broadway: Dancing at Lughnasa), playing Benedick to her Beatrice, while being joined by Bill McCallum (The Winter's Tale, Macbeth) as Claudio, frequent Guthrie Shakespeare heroine Michelle O'Neill (The Winter's Tale, Macbeth, The Merchant of Venice) as Hero, and Guthrie favorite Peter Michael Goetz (Arms and the Man, A Christmas Carol, The Government Inspector) as the play's "master of malapropisms" Dogberry.

The production, which opens the Theater's 2011-2012 season, will also feature Robert O. Berdahl (Balthasar), Raye Birk (Antonio), Michael Booth (Conrade), Dennis Creaghan (Leonato), Bob Davis (Borachio), Laura Esping (Ursula), Nathaniel Fuller (Verges/Friar Francis), Emily Gunyou Halaas (Margaret), H. Adam Harris (Messenger/George Seacoal), David Manis (Don Pedro), Ron Menzel (Don John/Sexton) and Max Polski (Watchman).

The Guthrie production received a generous $25,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) to participate in Shakespeare for a New Generation, a program of the NEA's Shakespeare in American Communities initiative. Managed by Arts Midwest, it introduces middle and high school students to the power of live theater and the masterpieces of William Shakespeare, and has benefitted more than 1.5 million students and their teachers with live performances and educational activities since the program began in 2003.

Shakespeare's romantic comedy, Much Ado About Nothing, centers on two couples: young lovers Claudio (McCallum) and Hero (O'Neill) and middle-aged Benedick (Gerroll) and Beatrice (Molloy), sworn enemies who become the victims of a clever scheme. In a world where everyone eavesdrops, meddles and minds others' business, Benedick's friends fool him into believing Beatrice loves him and the women do the same for Beatrice. Thus begins their inevitable and entertaining journey to finding true love late in life. Launching the season with a surefire Shakespeare production-the Guthrie at its best-this charming exploration of love and marriage, friendship and honor, delivers music, dancing and merriment, proving that falling in love is for everyone, young and old.

The artistic team includes Tony Award-nominated Riccardo Hernández (Set Designer), H.M.S. Pinafore designer Fabio Toblini (Costume Designer), Tony Award-winner Christopher Akerlind (Lighting Designer), Adam Wernick (Composer), Reid Rejsa (Sound Designer), Andrew Wade (Voice and Language Consultant), Joe Chvala (Movement), Michael Lupu (Dramaturgy), Russell W. Johnson (Production Stage Manager), Jason Clusman (Assistant Stage Manager) and Sam Bardwell (Assistant Director).

Much Ado About Nothing begins preview performances on September 10, opens September 16 and continues through November 5, 2011, on the Wurtele Thrust Stage at the Guthrie Theater. Single tickets start at $24 and are now on sale through the Guthrie Box Office at 612.377.2224, toll-free 877.44.STAGE, 612.225.6244 (Group Sales) and online at http://www.guthrietheater.org/.