By Reena Dutt
Arizona Daily Wildcat
April 9, 1998

Something new with 'Much Ado'

After playing voyeur to all the miserable choices the Arizona Repertory Theater has made in several of its previous performances, watching the latest, "Much Ado About Nothing," is like being at a Broadway performance in Tucson. I am very - no, completely - impressed. This is an amazing adaptation of Shakespeare's play, filled with charming surprises that are not only refreshing, but enjoyable to watch.

Let me start with the acting. Compliments to all the performers. While Hero, played by Dhyana Dhal, is a character filled with the sweet innocence of youth, Beatrice, played by Marchelle Barquissau, counteracts her seeming halo with the tongue of an ill-experienced woman.

The men measure up well to the women, presenting their characters with a refreshing flare. Milton Papageorge delivers Benedick's speech, in a scene after his "discovering" Beatrice's love for him, with a touch of the giggles, in an emotional state to which most of us can relate. He also speaks with an accent which is seemingly Spanish, but actually, it's hard to tell - and it doesn't really matter. His French brings meaning to the old French term, "Il parle comme une vache espagnolle," The translation of which happens to be, "He speaks like a Spanish cow." Although that is supposed to be an insult, it becomes his character.

Another impressive element of the performance is the amount of risk taken with the classic show. Unlike the recent movie of this famous Shakespearean play, the characters are defined by a bold choice of colors with the costuming, and placed against an outspoken set that's equally daring.

Instead of going for the natural look of the film, the designers shock the audience with a well-crafted pirate village, matched by beautiful costumes also unusual in both hue and design.

The accompanying music leaves behind a tribal aftertaste, as Africa suddenly becomes a part of Shakespeare's love story. At first, it's a bit off-putting, but it soon grows on you. It is definitely something you have to experience for yourself.

This is easily the best performance I have seen by the theater department's BFA program in my soon-to-be-four years of college. "Much Ado About Nothing" is the perfect choice for anyone who wants to enjoy a unique performance filled with payoffs from risks taken by a director (Brent Gibbs, in this case) and his cast. Expect the combination of the old with the new, and enjoy it, because it's rare to see a good challenge met so deftly by one of our local theater groups. The play continues at the Laboratory Theatre through April 19. Call 621-1162 for performance information.