Ado: An Adaptation of Much Ado about Nothing (50 minutes) by Marcia Eppich-Harris

Heather and Jake are college students, studying Shakespeare. An hour before their test, Jake wakes Heather to ask for help studying Much Ado about Nothing. They enter into a shortened version of the play in order to understand the highlights and techniques that Shakespeare uses to make his works great. Run time: about 50 minutes. (Commissioned by Marian University Theatre Department)
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Ado: An Adaptation of Much Ado about Nothing (50 minutes)

Recommended by

  • Elisabeth Giffin Speckman:
    7 May. 2021
    “ A fun and succinct version of MUCH ADO that is perfect for high school and college students. It's part Spark Notes: Live, Onstage! and part I AND YOU as students Heather and Jake try their best to cram before the big Shakespeare test. ”

10 actors, 3 women, 7 men (or can also substitute women for men and vice versa)
HEATHER - A college student, plays Hero in Much Ado about Nothing
JAKE - A college student, plays Don Pedro in Much Ado about Nothing
LEONATO - Hero’s father, Beatrice’s uncle
BEATRICE - Niece of Leonato, loves Benedick
HERO - Daughter of Leonato, loves Claudio
DON PEDRO - Duke
BENEDICK - Soldier, loves Beatrice
CLAUDIO - Soldier, loves Hero
BORACHIO - Don John’s henchman
DON JOHN - Don Pedro’s brother, the villain/bastard
MARGARET - Serving woman to Hero
FRIAR - Marries the couples
Friar may be doubled with Don John. Jake should double as Don Pedro. Heather should double as Hero.

Development History

Production History

  • University
    ,
    Marian University
    ,
    2012