Opening soon! Much Ado About Nothing!
Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing is Really Something!
Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing is almost here! Thin Ice Ensemble Theater, a non-profit youth theater, presents Shakespeare's beloved comedy, with singing, dancing and costumes from the 1940s. This fresh take on the classic Shakespearean hit, gives Much Ado About Nothing a rollicking vibe. Join Thin Ice Ensemble Theater, January 12th, 13th, and 14th at the Devonshire Playhouse in Skokie.
Thin Ice uses the original unabridged Shakespeare, actors have mastered the art of Shakespearean language. "Our production is set in the 40s but sticks to the original Shakespeare," as Clara Schuman, of Evanston says, "giving the play a fun twist while staying with same thing the audience knows and loves." The unique twist on the play incorporates The Andrews Sisters and Glenn Miller songs, and choreography. Anneke Stracks, of Wilmette's favorite part of the show is "the Andrew Sisters songs."
Much Ado About Nothing is a comedy and the Thin Ice Ensemble Theater director Eileen Hand has worked diligently to make sure her actors to heighten the comedic aspects of the plot and characters. " There are two different types of comedy: physical and timing of the language. In Much Ado the heightened physical comedy allows the audience to grasp the intention of the scene. Comedic timing is needed in the language, especially the lovers quarrels. They have to make the dialogue funny by emphasizing certain words and using the word rhythm to enhance the humor. It is extremely important to emphasize the humor in this show, because the show can come off as a drama, which it is not. Comedy requires direct acting focus and our actors have worked to achieve a great degree of comedic fitness."
"The humor contributes to the play, and adds life to the performance." says Genevieve Brame, of Northbrook. She believes that "people will particularly enjoy the humor of this play."
Costumes were designed with the 1940s as inspiration by Annie Guter of Morton Grove. Annie has been costuming plays for Thin Ice Ensemble for over ten years. The 1940's present a wonderful costuming challenge, and as usual, Annie Guter is right on target. Her vision of Beatrice as a "Rosie the Riveter" type is not to be missed. Equally impressive are the WWII uniforms on the men returning from the war. The women actresses will get a historical re-enactment of their own when they learn to style their hair 1040's style.
The actors in Much Ado About Nothing are high school aged students, ranging in ages from twelve to eighteen. Paavo Mueller, of Chicago, stated that "the great thing about Thin Ice theater is that it gives kids who don't get to perform through a school system a chance to act onstage and express themselves through the art of theater." Thin Ice Ensemble Theater is a non-profit organization and has has performed over fifty-five plays since its inception in 20000.
Thin Ice presents an original take on Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing. 1940's music and songs from the Andrew Sisters, along with choreographed swing dancing to In the Mood and Sentimental Journey by Glenn Miller add to the productions sparkle. Dance on down to Devonshire Playhouse in Skokie and join Thin Ice Ensemble Theater on January 12th at 7:30, 13th at 7:30 and 14th at 3pm. Much Ado About Nothing is really something!
What: Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing
When: January 12th at 7:30 pm and 13th at 7:30 pm, and January 14th at 3:00pm
Where: Devonshire Playhouse, 4400 Greenwood St, Skokie, IL 60076
Order tickets online or buy tickets at the door
For more information, visit Thin Ice Ensemble Theater's website: www.thinicetheater.org
For further Information contact:
Cheryl Yenter
Company Manager
Thin Ice Ensemble Theater
cheryent@comcast.net
847-922-6586