Geoffrey Warren Barnes II as Benedick and Kelly Mengelkoch as Beatrice. Photo by Mikki Schaffner.
Audiences are in for a delightful romantic comedy filled with witty banter, romantic tension, and juicy gossip featuring Kelly Mengelkoch and Geoffrey Warren Barnes II
Cincinnati, April 11, 2024 – Get ready to be swept off your feet as Cincinnati Shakespeare Company brings to life Shakespeare’s uproarious romantic comedy, Much Ado About Nothing! Join us from April 12 – May 5, 2024, for a whirlwind of wit, romance, and laughter that will leave you grinning from ear to ear! Directed by CSC fan favorite, Jeremy Dubin, the production boasts a stellar cast of seasoned actors who bring Shakespeare’s unforgettable characters to life with skill and authenticity. Kelly Mengelkoch and Geoffrey Warren Barnes II play the quick-witted romantic leads Beatrice and Benedick. The gossip-loving ensemble of twelve features: Gina Cerimele-Mechley, Billy Chace, Cary Davenport, Courtney Lucien, Barry Mulholland, Patrick Earl Phillips, Beasley, Hannah Gregory, Katie Mitchell, Ray K. Soeun, Jason Pavlovich, and Mierka Girten. The Ensemble Sponsor is PNC.
No romantic comedy is complete without a couple of lovers, their group of scheming friends, and a destination wedding. Hero and Claudio may have found their other half, but their friends, the two fiery, and staunchly single, Beatrice and Benedick, can’t stand each other. Good thing the other wedding guests are on hand to trick the hapless couple into falling hopelessly in love. You’re invited to this witty rom com complete with rumors, enemies-to-lovers, and saucy gossip. And if Beatrice and Benedick both believe “it’s not me, it’s you,” maybe it is Much Ado About Nothing.
Enhancing the production’s setting of a vineyard, CSC presents “Just Grapes,” an immersive vineyard experience that brings Shakespeare’s world to life in a unique way. Attendees can arrive early and enjoy a glass of wine at the on-stage bar, giving them a chance to experience the production up and close and personal before the show! Dinks are $8 and only cash is accepted.
This production features Kelly Mengelkoch as Beatrice and Geoffrey Warren Barnes II as Benedick, both beloved members of the Cincinnati Shakespeare Company ensemble. Kelly, now in her 19th season with the Cincinnati Shakespeare Company, has also performed with the Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, Human Race Theatre, Ensemble Theatre, among others. She is (lovingly) directed in this production by Jeremy Dubin, her husband. Geoffrey is celebrating his 9th season with CSC and has appeared on stages across Cincinnati, Illinois, and Texas, as well as recently at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival and the Illinois Shakespeare Festival. He is particularly celebrated for his annual performances in CSC’s “Every Christmas Story Ever Told” making audience laugh for many years. Both Kelly and Geoffrey infuse their iconic roles with sparkling wit and wonderful chemistry, ensuring audiences will be captivated by their talent!
A creative and talented team of designers for Much Ado About Nothing includes Samantha Reno’s scenic design that will transport you to the heart of Messina, while Rainy Edwards’s costumes adorn the characters in Renaissance splendor. Lighting by Nina Agelvis, assisted by Zach Benton, illuminates the stage, complemented by Jason Sebastian’s masterful soundscapes with Courtney Lucien’s musical direction adding the perfect soundtrack to this unforgettable production. Kara Eble Trusty’s props add authenticity, with fight direction by Gina Cerimele-Mechley and dance choreography by Susan Jung.
Much Ado About Nothing runs from April 12-May 5. Performances of Much Ado About Nothing are on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 7:30 PM, with three Sunday matinees on April 21 and 28, and May 5 at 2:00 PM. Sunday matinees include a Q&A with the cast following the performance. CSC offers performances with accessibility resources. Sign Language Interpretation is available on Saturday May 4 7:30 PM and Live Audio Descriptions are available during the Sunday, May 5 2:00 PM performance.
Tickets are on sale now. Discounts are available for students, seniors, local residents, and community partners, as access to all is important to CSC. Each performance night has a limited number of $14 “Access” tickets in the Upper Gallery and Stage Gallery. These can be purchased in advance by going online or calling the Box Office. And starting 1 hour before each performance, any unreserved tickets may be available as a discounted Rush Ticket to anyone, not just students. These tickets are only $12 and could be located anywhere in the house, depending on that evening’s availability. These cannot be reserved more than 1 hour before a show and must be purchased in person in the Box Office. Visa, Discover, MasterCard, and American Express are accepted. Ticketing fees apply. To purchase tickets or for more information, call the CSC Box Office at 513.381.BARD (2273) ext. 1, or go online at cincyshakes.com.
CSC also offers Valet Parking for every performance! Make reservations for $25 in advance when purchasing tickets, or visit cincyshakes.com/your-visit/parking. Purchasing in advance guarantees a spot. Valet is available right at the corner of 12th and Elm Street in front of the theater and begins approx. 1.5 hours before a performance. Cars can be picked up for up to one hour following a performance. (After one hour, you will need to arrange pick up with the valet service directly.) After purchasing, the valet will have your name on the list— it’s that easy!
NEW! Reserved parking spaces are available for $15 in the lot adjacent to CSC on Elm Street, conveniently located next to the theater at 1119 Elm St. Parking opens approximately 2.5 hours prior to each performance. Upon purchase, your name will be added to the list by the 3CDC parking attendant – it’s hassle-free! Booking in advance ensures your space, but drive-ups are welcome if spots are available. Please note that this option is not offered on FC gamedays. Visit cincyshakes.com/your-visit/parking to reserve now.
Cincinnati Shakespeare Company is located at The Otto M. Budig Theater at 1195 Elm Street in OTR, adjacent to Washington Park. Many parking spaces are available on the street and in nearby lots and garages- for more information, visit otrchamber.com/pages/WheretoPark.
Cincinnati Shakespeare Company’s 2023-2024 Season is generously presented by The Otto M. Budig Family Foundation; Season Funder: ArtsWave; Education Season Sponsor: Debby and Jim Mason; and Operating Support Partners: The Robert and Adele Schiff Family Foundation, Ohio Arts Council, The Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile, Jr foundation; The Shubert Foundation, Lightborne, and 1215 Wine Bar and Coffee Lab.
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About Cincinnati Shakespeare Company:
Cincinnati Shakespeare Company is a professional theatre company dedicated to bringing Shakespeare and the classics to life for all. In the summer of 2017, the theater relocated to the Otto M. Budig Theater, a brand new facility in the Over-the-Rhine neighborhood of Cincinnati. CSC’s repertoire is composed of the works of William Shakespeare, literary adaptations, world premieres, and contemporary classics. CSC performs on a Small Professional Theatre contract with the Actors’ Equity Association. Cincinnati Shakespeare is a member of Theater Communications Group and Shakespeare Theatre Association. Each year, Cincinnati Shakespeare Company’s Education and Outreach Programs reach more than 50,000 young people and community members by meeting audiences where they are. This includes sharing programming in schools, parks, community centers and hosting educational matinees of mainstage productions. In 2015, CSC was proud to become one of the first five theaters in the United States to “Complete the Canon” by producing all 38 plays by William Shakespeare. CSC is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, and all donations are tax-deductible. Cincinnati Shakespeare Company is proud to be Cincinnati’s stage for the Classics!
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