Directed by Bianca Ciungan, assistant professor of theatre at Hope, “Much Ado About Nothing” follows lifelong rivals, Beatrice and Benedick (a cynical spinster and an eternal bachelor), as they are tricked into believing the other is in love with them. Simultaneously, a plot to corrupt the reputation of a young bride causes chaos and dissension in the lives of family and friends. Through clever scheming and intervention, the truth is eventually revealed, misunderstandings put aside, and lovers reconciled. Hope brings this classic Shakespearean romantic comedy into the Post-World War I French Rivera, where it is given a breath of new life.

Saturday, Nov. 23, will be an Accessibility Saturday performance, featuring optional live audio description services, sensory-friendly light and sound design, and the DeWitt theatre’s standard hearing loop.

In addition to Ciungan, the college’s production team consists of Em Allen as guest scenic designer; Michelle Bombe, professor of theatre and department chair, as costume designer; Eric Van Tassell, assistant professor of lighting and sound design, as lighting designer; Ken Chamberlain, dance and theatre lighting and sound technician, as sound designer; MacKenzie Lakatos as guest props coordinator; Stephen Krebs, technical director for theatre and Hope Repertory Theatre, as technical director; and Anna Hill, theatre department costume manager and dance department costume designer, as costume shop manager.

Also serving on the production team are freshmen Izzy Eavey of Kalamazoo and Elea Oaks of Fort Collins, Colorado, as assistant stage managers; sophomore Anne Slezak of Hudsonville as stage manager; and sophomore Schuyler Waters of Las Vegas, Nevada, as assistant sound designer.

The cast includes freshmen Elijah Aylward of DeWitt, Carson Bartley of Toledo, Ohio, Ellasyn Brookens of Toledo, Ohio, Isaac Janssen of Hillsboro, Oregon, Reese Licavoli of Grosse Pointe Woods and Connor Van Putten of Grand Rapids; sophomores Nadia Cuthrell of Bath, Castle Dettinger of San Diego, California, Gabrielle Parker of Novi, Jacqueline Schatz of Davisburg, Kaylee Siddens of Corunna, Sarah White of Marlton, New Jersey, and Naomi Whitfield of Haverhill, Massachusetts; juniors Jaden Johnson of Frankfort and Shane Sygiel of Plymouth; and seniors Canyon Mannikko of Missouri City, Texas, and Sara Verduzco of Kalamazoo.

Tickets are $15 for regular admission; $10 for senior citizens and Hope faculty and staff; and free for Hope College students and other students ages 18 and under. Tickets are available at the Events and Conferences Office located in downtown Holland in the Anderson-Werkman Financial Center (100 E. Eighth St.). The ticket office is open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and can be reached at 616-395-7890. Tickets may be purchased by calling or visiting the ticket office, online at hope.edu/tickets, or in person at the performance. Reserved tickets must be claimed ten minutes prior to performances in order to guarantee seating.

The DeWitt Student and Cultural Center is located at 141 E. 12th St., facing Columbia Avenue between 10th and 13th streets.

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