Theater Alaska’s skillful and energetic production of Much Ado About Nothing moved to the Arboretum for an evening performance, thankfully beneath dry skies and in mellow light. The audience, in ranks of folding chairs, was justifiably enthusiastic and appreciative. The cast was again uniformly superb. As before, the high-energy roles of Beatrice (Natalia  Spengler) and Benedick (Enrique Bravo) and Dogberry (Scout James) were prominent, as Shakespeare intended.  But the nuanced work of the rest of the cast was just as impressive, particularly Anna Becknell as the hapless and innocent victim, Hero, in a tender role inevitably overshadowed by Beatrice, one of Shakespeare’s greatest creations.  

The move from the concrete confines of the Treadwell Office Building to the Arboretum’s wide lawn changed the dynamic a little, allowing the cast more lateral room to move and seemingly encouraging more forceful performances from Bravo and Scout (in his Dogberry persona) and Bryan Crowder (as Leonato).  But the wider stage still rewarded nuance, as in Scout’s performance as the Friar, in Spengler’s reflective moments as Beatrice, and in Flordelino Lagundino’s effortless and quiet malevolence as Don John.  

A good time was had by all, as they say. Theater Alaska has succeeded once again.

Photo angles were limited, and I used a long lens, so headshots predominate. I've again converted a few to Black and Whites because it seemed both flattering to the actors and in keeping with the play. My website gallery for the Arboretum performance contains 85 images and shows all cast members. Here is the direct page link to that gallery: https://www.zenfolio.com/bobeastaughimagery/p542499044   

As usual, cast and crew can download digital images from that gallery without charge, and viewing is free for everyone.

Thanks for visiting the blog.

BK7A0019 BK7A0119 BK7A0143 BK7A0152 BK7A0382 BK7A0471 BK7A0489 BK7A0577 untitled-0027BK7A0027 untitled-0066BK7A0066 untitled-0110BK7A0110 untitled-0362BK7A0362 untitled-0541BK7A0541