Much Ado About Nothing Digital Program
Director's Note
It’s safe to say that William Shakespeare invented every romantic comedy trope we know today. From star-crossed lovers to high-stakes hidden identity to scrappy young heroines, we can trace these aspects of our favorite rom-coms all the way back to the Bard's plays.
But perhaps Shakespeare’s single most influential romantic comedy is Much Ado About Nothing, the iconic story of two wise and witty former lovers who claim they can’t stand one another, even though all they do is obsess about each other. Too proud to admit that their “merry war” is actually covering up some very real feelings, Beatrice and Benedick need a push from their friends and family to get them to set aside their pride and realize they’re perfect for one another.
Though the play is most often celebrated for Beatrice and Benedick’s witty sparring, Much Ado About Nothing is as much the story of an entire society as it is the story of contentious love. The people of Messina proudly and graciously extend their hospitality to soldiers returning from war and try to keep their jovial spirit alive amidst conflicts brought on by rumors, suspicions, and miscommunication. But in spite of everything that happens, they allow themselves to laugh again. They eat and drink, they sing and dance, they joke and lie.
And, of course, they fall in love.
Even when faced with an unknown future, the people of Messina find a way to carry on. And don’t we all.
But perhaps Shakespeare’s single most influential romantic comedy is Much Ado About Nothing, the iconic story of two wise and witty former lovers who claim they can’t stand one another, even though all they do is obsess about each other. Too proud to admit that their “merry war” is actually covering up some very real feelings, Beatrice and Benedick need a push from their friends and family to get them to set aside their pride and realize they’re perfect for one another.
Though the play is most often celebrated for Beatrice and Benedick’s witty sparring, Much Ado About Nothing is as much the story of an entire society as it is the story of contentious love. The people of Messina proudly and graciously extend their hospitality to soldiers returning from war and try to keep their jovial spirit alive amidst conflicts brought on by rumors, suspicions, and miscommunication. But in spite of everything that happens, they allow themselves to laugh again. They eat and drink, they sing and dance, they joke and lie.
And, of course, they fall in love.
Even when faced with an unknown future, the people of Messina find a way to carry on. And don’t we all.
Cast
The People of Messina
Beatrice ............................................................ JÚLIA GARCIA
Hero ........................................................... SANIBEL HARPER
Leonato ............................................ STEVE WESTERGAN
Margaret ................................................... GRACE SERGOTT
Ursula ...................................................... LYDIA SKARIVODA
Antonia ............................................................ SALLIE MEYER
Borachio ................................................. MARTIN PREVOST
The Military
Benedick ..................................................... WILL KNAAPEN
Claudio ................................................................... ALEX SABIN
Don Pedro ............................................. JERAH DOXTATOR
Don John ............................................. ERIC D. WESTPHAL
Conrade ................................................................ ALI WEAVER
The Body Politic
Dogberry .................................................... MIKE ESERKALN
Verges ........................................................... MAGGIE MONTE
Georgie Seacol/Sexton............... ASHLEE DeGRAVE
Hugh Oatcake/Messenger ........... MARY SPENCER
Watchman/Friar Francis ..................... ALEX GRUBER
Musicians
Bass .......................................................... TONY PESAVENTO
Vocals .............................................. KASEY SCHUMACHER
Guitar .............................................. DUSTIN SKENANDORE
Drums ...................................................... MATT SILVERBERG
Production Team & Crew
Director
CAROLYN SILVERBERG
Stage Manager
ELIZABETH JOLLY
Artistic Director/Music Supervisor
MARY EHLINGER
CAROLYN SILVERBERG
Stage Manager
ELIZABETH JOLLY
Artistic Director/Music Supervisor
MARY EHLINGER
Costumes
DEBRA JOLLY
Sound Op
SCOTT WILDEMAN
DEBRA JOLLY
Sound Op
SCOTT WILDEMAN
Cast & Crew Bios
(in alphabetical order)
ASHLEE DeGRAVE (Seacol/Sexton) This is Ashlee’s first production with Play-by-Play and she is excited to be a part of Shakespeare in the Park this year! Her past Shakespeare experience includes Twelfth Night as Feste and Romeo and Juliet as Juliet. Ashlee would like to thank the cast, crew, and team of directors for keeping her inspired to be a part of performing Shakespeare.
JERAH DOXTATOR (Don Pedro) is a Midwest based actor, musician, and singer. Previous credits include Lloyd Sidwell in Deadly Games at the Hotel Excelsior (Cardboard Theater), and Egeus/Moondust in A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Play-by-Play Theatre). He would like to thank Play-by-Play for creating such a wonderful and enriching opportunity to perform Shakespeare in Green Bay.
MIKE ESERKALN (Dogberry) has been artistic director for ComedyCity for 100+ years.
He's also the founder and director for Cardboard Theatre, he's done that for less than 100 years. And, he does art which you can view and support: www.Eserkaln.com www.Patreon.com/Eserkaln
He's also the founder and director for Cardboard Theatre, he's done that for less than 100 years. And, he does art which you can view and support: www.Eserkaln.com www.Patreon.com/Eserkaln
JÚLIA GARCIA (Beatrice) Originally from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Júlia just graduated from the University of Wisconsin Stevens-Point with a BFA in Musical Theatre and a Dance Minor. Some of her favorite credits include dancing at the Municipal Theatre of Rio de Janeiro, assistant choreographer for Cabaret and playing the Witch in Into the Woods. She is incredibly thankful for her director’s brilliant guidance, care and attention to detail. It’s an honor to tell a story that so well resonates and evokes the best in people. Thanks for driving, dad; and mom, love you both. Thanks for your support, Green Bay - enjoy! www.juliagarciaactor.com
ALEX GRUBER (Friar Francis/Watchman) is an area coordinator and adjunct theology instructor at St. Norbert College, his alma mater, where he has had the honor of being in productions including The Importance of Being Earnest, The Tempest, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, and As You Like It. If you like bad puns, good ice cream, or Norbertine history, he's your guy! Alex thanks his loved ones and God (he IS the Friar, after all) for all they have given him.
SANIBEL HARPER (Hero) began acting at the age of four and has performed in over thirty stage and film productions throughout the Midwest. Most recently she played Marie in Denmark High School’s production of Cinderella and Dotty in Evergreen Theatre’s Fly Babies. Sanibel is thrilled to be back with Play-by-Play after portraying Gregory and the Apothecary in Romeo & Juliet last summer! Sanibel is a UWSP BFA Acting major and would like to thank everyone involved with Much Ado About Nothing for their encouragement and creative guidance along with her friends and family for their endless support!
WILL KNAAPEN (Benedick) is a Green Bay local who began acting in school and church plays as a boy and took it up again after a friend suggested he try out for a musical. He's been hooked ever since. In recent years, he has performed with several theater companies in the area and played some wonderful roles, such as Miles Gloriosus in A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum, Lancelot in Spamalot, and Petruchio in the Play-by-Play Theatre's production of Shakespeare's The Taming Of The Shrew. Now, he gets to play one of his favorite roles. He wants to thank his family, friends, and wonderful girlfriend Maggie for their love and support.
SALLIE MEYER (Antonia) is hoping you will make “much ado” about this fantastic cast and is filled with joy to be up on the stage with them! She was last seen in A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Hippolyta) and is excited to be back performing where it all started!
MAGGIE MONTE (Verges) is an avid theater and music lover who has acted in a few community theater shows in the area. She was a fairy in the online production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, but this is her first in-person production with Play-by-Play. Much Ado is one of her favorite Shakespeare plays, and she is very excited to be a part of it.
TONY PESAVENTO (Bass) is a bass player/singer and lesson instructor from Green Bay, WI. He’s played in many local theater productions, including past Play-by-Play Theatre productions, and also plays in local bands, such as Panic Station and Alive Again: A Tribute to Chicago.
MARTIN PREVOST (Borachio) A Graduate from UW Oshkosh’s Theatre Department, Martin moved back to his hometown of Seymour, WI where he ran a small theatre company, The Revelator Players, from 2010-2014, producing original work culminating with a performance of one of these pieces at the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center in the Kimberly Clark Theatre. He is excited to work with Play-by-Play Theatre for their summer Shakespeare Series.
ALEX SABIN (Claudio) is a Dramatic Arts graduate of UWSP; his passions have allowed him to share the stage with several Wisconsin companies, such as: Main Street Theatre Collective, Theatre Z, NEWDO, St. Norbert College Music Theatre, The Dance Company, Evergreen Productions, Door Shakespeare, and Third Avenue Playworks. Recent credits include Aldolpho in The Drowsy Chaperone (Birder Players), and a staged reading of "Lincoln & Liberty Too" (written by Play-by-Play's Mary Ehlinger) at the Neville Museum. He loves cooking and making coldbrew coffee, is a devoted cat-dad, and thanks his family for their love and support.
KASEY SCHUMACHER (Vocalist) is thrilled to join Play-by-Play! Kasey has been a part of Let Me Be Frank Productions for nearly a decade, both as a performer and marketing director. She is also a member of Frank’s Tribute, portraying Karen Carpenter. She lends her voice to The Pink Floyd Tribute Band: Project Pink, weddings, special events, and assists co-hosting the annual CP Telethon. Kasey graduated summa cum laude from St. Norbert College in 2013, where she studied Communication and Media and was involved with Knights on Broadway and Knight Theatre. In 2021, she earned her Master of Science degree in Communication from Purdue University.
GRACE SERGOTT (Margaret) graduated from Bradley University in May of ‘21, where she majored in Theatre with a concentration on Performance. She is thrilled to be a part of her second production with Play-by-Play, after taking the stage as Benvolio last summer in Romeo and Juliet. She would like to thank her family, friends, and her cat for all of their endless support. Dedicated to Uncle Raul. Enjoy the show!
MATT SILVERBERG (Drums) is ecstatic to be making his Play-by-Play debut! Currently based in the Twin Cities, Matt has carved a niche for himself in the music world thanks to his video game music arrangements for the marimba and steel pan. He's performed at video game conventions, has toured with the Heartland Marimba Ensemble, and has performed with orchestras such as the La Crosse Symphony. He's also a published composer. Check out his YouTube/Instagram @marimbamatt913 and his website www.mattsilverbergmusic.com
LYDIA SKARIVODA (Ursula) is a recent graduate of UW Milwaukee's Peck School of the Arts with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting. She is happy to be diving back into theatre by participating in her first outdoor production. She'd like to thank Play-by-Play Theatre for being so welcoming, and her cat Willow for helping her memorize her lines.
DUSTIN SKENANDORE (Guitar) a guitarist based in Saint Paul, Minnesota. In addition to serving Veterans with the Department of Veterans Affairs, Dustin works as a freelance musician performing for various groups and events around Minnesota and Wisconsin.
MARY SPENCER (OATCAKE/MESSENGER)
delights in playing the Messenger and a member of the Watch in Much Ado About Nothing, and thanks Play-by-Play for the opportunity to perform Shakespeare as part of this tremendously talented cast. Following a hiatus from acting, Mary’s recent roles include Jackie Cochran in Evergreen Production’s Fly Babies and Louise Perry in Play On! Mary’s previous credits include roles in Southwest High School’s The Sting and When Shakespeare’s Ladies Meet. Mary thanks her friends and family for their support and hopes you enjoy this hilarious yet poignant Shakespeare comedy!
delights in playing the Messenger and a member of the Watch in Much Ado About Nothing, and thanks Play-by-Play for the opportunity to perform Shakespeare as part of this tremendously talented cast. Following a hiatus from acting, Mary’s recent roles include Jackie Cochran in Evergreen Production’s Fly Babies and Louise Perry in Play On! Mary’s previous credits include roles in Southwest High School’s The Sting and When Shakespeare’s Ladies Meet. Mary thanks her friends and family for their support and hopes you enjoy this hilarious yet poignant Shakespeare comedy!
ALI WEAVER (Conrade) is grateful to play Conrade in this production. It has been a great experience for them. They last appeared in The Gentleman Clothier at Green Bay Community Theatre. Justice for Conrade!
STEVE WESTERGAN (Leonato) teaches humanities at St. Norbert College, where he has appeared in several plays by Shakespeare: A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Tempest, and As You Like It. He is honored and thrilled to be part of Play-by-Play Theatre for the first time and hopes you enjoy Much Ado About Nothing!
ERIC D. WESTPHAL (Don John) is delighted to be back for Play-by-Play Theatre's Shakespeare in the Park, having previously appeared as Oberon in 2019's A Midsummer Night's Dream. This show caps off a great theater season for him after he appeared as Felix Unger in The Odd Couple with Green Bay Community Theater and as Marc in Art with Footlights Theater. You can also hang out with Eric weekday afternoons from 2-7pm on 103.1 WOGB
ELIZABETH JOLLY (Stage Manager) hails from Abrams, WI where she is very involved as an actor and director in her local community theater, Abrams Spotlight Productions, Inc. She graduated from St. Norbert College in 2012 with a bachelor’s degree in Theatre Studies and Classical Studies and following that completed a conservatory program in acting at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in NYC. Recent Play-by-Play credits include Romeo and Juliet (Stage Manager), Words, Words, Words (Kafka), and The Taming of the Shrew (Stage Manager).
CAROLYN SILVERBERG (Director) Carolyn’s love of Shakespeare began when she played Lady Macbeth waaay back in 5th grade. She earned her MA in Shakespeare from Royal Holloway University of London, where she also appeared in Romeo and Juliet and The Tempest, and her BA in Theatre Studies from St. Norbert College. Recent directing credits: Romeo & Juliet, Words Words Words, The Taming of the Shrew, A Midsummer Night's Dream (Play-by-Play Theatre); The Comedy of Errors, Twelfth Night (Studio 12), The Giver (Evergreen Young Actors). For Dad, always. www.carolynsilverberg.com
WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE (Playwright) was a renowned English poet, playwright, and actor born in 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon. His birthday is most commonly celebrated on April 23rd which is also believed to be the date he died in 1616. Shakespeare was a prolific writer during the Elizabethan and Jacobean ages of British theatre. Shakespeare's work includes 38 plays, 2 narrative poems, 154 sonnets, and a variety of other poems.
Shakespeare’s legacy is as rich and diverse as his work; his plays have spawned countless adaptations across multiple genres and cultures. His plays have had an enduring presence on stage and film. William Shakespeare continues to be one of the most important literary figures of the English language.
(source)
Shakespeare’s legacy is as rich and diverse as his work; his plays have spawned countless adaptations across multiple genres and cultures. His plays have had an enduring presence on stage and film. William Shakespeare continues to be one of the most important literary figures of the English language.
(source)
Special Thanks
The Canary Fund
The Green Bay Packers Foundation
The Greater Green Bay Community Foundation
The Fireside Theater
Our 2022 Donors
Steve Havlichek
Rachel Ziolkowski
Molly Maher Lucareli
Abrams Spotlight Productions
The Premier
Frank Hermans & Frankly Green Bay
Plot Summary
We arrive in Messina, where Leonato lives with his daughter, Hero, and her cousin and companion, the Lady Beatrice. Leonato receives word that his friend, Don Pedro, Prince of Aragon, has returned from war and plans to visit with some of his fellow soldiers. Among the party is Claudio, who quickly falls in love with Hero. Benedick, a bachelor who has sworn off love and marriage, also comes, and he enjoys speaking his mind in witty argument with Beatrice. It is revealed the two have had a relationship prior to the start of the play (however, they certainly aren't in one now). Claudio tells Don Pedro about his love for Hero, and Don Pedro resolves to woo Hero on Claudio's behalf.
Antonia, Leonato's sister, arrives to tell her brother how she heard (incorrectly from a servant) that Don Pedro wants to marry Hero. Leonato says they should act with calm until they find out if this is true or not... but they will tell Hero of the impending proposal anyway.
Leonato holds a masked ball to celebrate the end of the war. While at the ball, the engagement of Claudio (not Don Pedro) and Hero is arranged. At the same time, Don Pedro's brother, Don John, seeks a way to spoil the general happiness (just because he's bitter and petty that way). Don John plots with his comrades, Borachio and Conrad, to deceive Claudio into believing Hero has cheated on him.
Later, Hero, Claudio, Leonato, and Don Pedro decide Benedick and Beatrice are ideal partners, despite (or because of) their bickering. They make a plot to allow Benedick to overhear them discussing Beatrice's love for him and vice versa. After a series of overheard conversations, Benedick and Beatrice realize they do indeed love one another.
The Constable of Messina, Dogberry, and his partner Verges give the Watch orders and inform them to be extra aware since it's the night before Hero's wedding. The Watch then overhear Borachio tell Conrade about how that night he talked with Hero's maid, Margaret, from Hero's window while Claudio and Don Pedro watched secretly from a distance, thinking that Margaret was Hero. Borachio and Conrade are then arrested.
The next day, Dogberry and Verges try to inform Leonato about what they discovered from Borachio and Conrade, but are unable to get the information across. Leonato dismisses them and they go their separate ways.
At Hero's wedding, Claudio is still deceived into thinking Hero cheated on him. He denounces her and leaves her apparently dead from shock. With the help of Friar Francis, Leonato, Beatrice, and Benedick decide to pretend that Hero is actually dead until her name can be cleared. After formally declaring their love for one another, Beatrice asks Benedick to kill Claudio for shaming her cousin, and after some reluctance, Benedick, proving his love for Beatrice, agrees to challenge him.
Dogberry's incriminating information is, after some difficulty, given to Leonato, Claudio, and Don Pedro. As penance for causing Hero's death, Claudio agrees to accept Leonato's "niece" in her place. The "niece" turns out to be Hero (conveniently). The play comes to a joyful conclusion as the lovers are reunited, and Benedick and Beatrice announce that they will share the wedding day. News comes that Don John has been captured while trying to escape and is left for future trial while the play ends with joyful celebration.
Antonia, Leonato's sister, arrives to tell her brother how she heard (incorrectly from a servant) that Don Pedro wants to marry Hero. Leonato says they should act with calm until they find out if this is true or not... but they will tell Hero of the impending proposal anyway.
Leonato holds a masked ball to celebrate the end of the war. While at the ball, the engagement of Claudio (not Don Pedro) and Hero is arranged. At the same time, Don Pedro's brother, Don John, seeks a way to spoil the general happiness (just because he's bitter and petty that way). Don John plots with his comrades, Borachio and Conrad, to deceive Claudio into believing Hero has cheated on him.
Later, Hero, Claudio, Leonato, and Don Pedro decide Benedick and Beatrice are ideal partners, despite (or because of) their bickering. They make a plot to allow Benedick to overhear them discussing Beatrice's love for him and vice versa. After a series of overheard conversations, Benedick and Beatrice realize they do indeed love one another.
The Constable of Messina, Dogberry, and his partner Verges give the Watch orders and inform them to be extra aware since it's the night before Hero's wedding. The Watch then overhear Borachio tell Conrade about how that night he talked with Hero's maid, Margaret, from Hero's window while Claudio and Don Pedro watched secretly from a distance, thinking that Margaret was Hero. Borachio and Conrade are then arrested.
The next day, Dogberry and Verges try to inform Leonato about what they discovered from Borachio and Conrade, but are unable to get the information across. Leonato dismisses them and they go their separate ways.
At Hero's wedding, Claudio is still deceived into thinking Hero cheated on him. He denounces her and leaves her apparently dead from shock. With the help of Friar Francis, Leonato, Beatrice, and Benedick decide to pretend that Hero is actually dead until her name can be cleared. After formally declaring their love for one another, Beatrice asks Benedick to kill Claudio for shaming her cousin, and after some reluctance, Benedick, proving his love for Beatrice, agrees to challenge him.
Dogberry's incriminating information is, after some difficulty, given to Leonato, Claudio, and Don Pedro. As penance for causing Hero's death, Claudio agrees to accept Leonato's "niece" in her place. The "niece" turns out to be Hero (conveniently). The play comes to a joyful conclusion as the lovers are reunited, and Benedick and Beatrice announce that they will share the wedding day. News comes that Don John has been captured while trying to escape and is left for future trial while the play ends with joyful celebration.
Thank you for joining us for FREE Shakespeare in the Park. If you enjoyed the performance and would like to support this production and the Theatre in the Park event, you can donate HERE.