PICKERINGTON, Ohio — Pickerington Community Theatre returns to the stage with its take on one of Shakespeare's best-loved romantic comedies.
"Much Ado About Nothing" follows as friends and family conspire to get two pairs of young lovers to fall for each other while deceitful villains seek to ruin the matchmaking for their amusement.
"'Much Ado About Nothing' really has some fairytale qualities," explained director Andrew Weibel of the play's aesthetic. "It has some melodrama...the audience should really be pulled into that."
One of the infamous couples at the center of the story are enemies-to-lovers archetypes Benedick and Beatrice who spend the majority of the play trading pointed barbs and witty ripostes.
"Shakespeare was able to capture our humanity in everything that he wrote and in the characters he created," said actor Amanda Khosraviani, who plays Beatrice.
Mike Doyle, the actor who portrays Benedick, points out that Shakespeare's work was never intended to be read like literature, but that it should be experienced as a full theatrical presentation.
"If [the cast] is doing what [they're] supposed to be doing - which I think we are - I think it's going to be enjoyable for every single person who gives it a chance," said Doyle.
Pickerington Community Theatre's "Much Ado About Nothing" runs Oct. 4 through the 13 at the Wigwam Event Center in Pickerington. For showtimes and ticket information, visit https://pickeringtoncommunitytheatre.org/.