Penobscot Theatre Company's Dramatic Academy to Present Two Takes on Shakespeare's 'MUCH ADO'

Penobscot Theatre Company's Dramatic Academy is delighted to present Much Ado About Nothing and A Great Big Deal Over Nothing at the historic Bangor Opera House, August 14-16. "We're excited to produce one of Shakespeare's comedic classics," said Director of Education Amy Roeder. "To add to the fun, we're also producing a modern retelling of the story for our younger actors and audience members, A Great Big Deal Over Nothing!"

Much Ado About Nothing tells the story of the "merry war" of wits between Beatrice and Benedick. At wealthy Leonato's estate, everything is peaceful until evil Don John sets in motion a plan to destroy the happiness of Claudio and Hero. Full of intrigue, love, insults and dancing, Much Ado is a vivid reminder of why Shakespeare still rules!

With the contemporary styling and quick pacing of your favorite Disney Channel shows, A Great Big Deal Over Nothing is sure to delight the entire family! In this clever adaptation, we follow "Bea" and "Ben" to Camp Messina where competing interests play out as hilariously as they did in Shakespeare's day!

Much Ado About Nothing and A Great Big Deal Over Nothing is the culmination of the second session of Penobscot Theatre Company's Dramatic Academy Summer, a three-week day camp serving students aged 4-20. Throughout the course of the session, developing actors, both novice and veteran, progress from reading to auditions to rehearsal to performance. Through the theatre's unique Tech Track program, teens interested in developing their skills behind the scenes design and create the set, costume and prop elements needed to bring the work from page to stage. Classes on Shakespearean performance, improvisation, and stage combat are also part of the weekly schedule.

Penobscot Theatre Company's resident teaching artist and celebrated company member Benjamin Laymanis directing A Great Big Deal Over Nothing while Director of Education Amy Roeder directs Much Ado About Nothing. Set designer Bob Rogers, costume designer and stage manager Catherine Darragh, and teaching artist Arthur Morison are joined by tech track student Isaac Anderson as sound designer.

The cast includes: Lilyana Bebout (Blue Hill), Lauren Bilancia (Brewer), Ian Buck (Glenburn), Sophia Crespo (Bangor), Viola Davis (Bangor), Danielle Fenlason (Brewer), Isabel Fiske (Hampden), Riley Howe Grenier (Bangor), Ella Jellison (Dedham), Dellana Kessler (Bangor), Maisie McCarthy (Bangor), Easnadh Nobel Toolo (Brewer), Selig Nobel Toolo (Brewer), Rachel Palmer (Winterport), Lilie Sites (Bangor), Maya Smith (Bangor), Jayden Spearin (East Holden), Aurora Thompson (Newburgh), Madonna Helwig (Hampden), Lexi Potter (Old Town), Alec Allain-Winchester (Winterport), Sophia Bilodeau (Veazie), Megan Clark (Brewer), Rose Codair (Brewer), Meg Demeritt (Orono), Ruby El-Hajj (Winterport), Lauren Elwood (Bangor), Rebekah Friedman (Brewer), Marianne Grossmann (Bangor), Caitlin Hession (Parkman), Rowan Jellison (Strong), Macey Jennings (Holden), Nathan Manaker (Orono), Sydney McDonald (Bangor), Hannah Nilsson (Brewer), Rebeclyn Parker (Dexter), Lana Sabbagh (Brewer) and Megan Ward (Bangor). Tech track students are Isaac Anderson (Hampden) and Elisabeth Budd (Bangor).

Tickets may be purchased online at www.penobscottheatre.org or by phone at 947-6618. Ticket price is $12 each for adults and $8 each for children. Performance times for A Great Big Deal Over Nothing are: August 14 & 15 at 5:00 pm and August 16 at noon. Performances for Much Ado About Nothing will be: August 14 & 15 at 7:00 pm and August 16 at 3:00 pm.

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