Things were pretty good in 16th century Sicily until some soldiers returned from battle. Romance soon filled the air, and gossip ensued — along with hilarity and double-crossing.
The Public is offering Much Ado About Nothing 25 times this summer. The five-borough tour includes stops at A.R.R.O.W. Field House on June 20; Queens Night Market on June 21; and Roy Wilkins Recreation Center on June 22.
Family-friendly, free, and bilingual (English-Spanish), this 100-minute romantic comedy unfolds via The Public’s Mobile Unit – the perfect spot for love, deception, misunderstanding, and original music.
All performances are outdoors at 6:30 pm with no intermission, and seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. No tickets required, but reservations are recommended.
A.R.R.O.W. stands for “Astoria Residents Reclaiming Our World.” The NYC Parks space is on 35th Street between 35th Avenue and 36th Avenue.
Queens Night Market is behind the New York Hall of Science, whose address is 47-01 111th St. in Flushing Meadows Corona Park.
Roy Wilkins is in the vicinity of Merrick Boulevard, 115th Avenue, and Baisley Boulevard in Jamaica.
Director Rebecca Martinez and composer Julián Mesri reunite for the third consecutive year to present this version of Much Ado. The cast includes The Public veterans Carlo Albán, Hiram Delgado, Robert Marcelo Jiménez, Keren Lugo, Cornelius McMoyler, Sara Ornelas, and Nathan M. Ramsey, along with debutees Mayelah Barrera, Daniel Bravo Hernández, Katherine George, Jonathan Gabriel Mousset, and Martín Ortiz.
William Shakespeare wrote Much Ado in 1598 or 1599. The five-act comedy takes a deep dive on the ancient theme of women being falsely accused of adultery. The playwright used exaggeration to prove his points.
Conceived by Joe Papp more than six decades ago, The Public operates on the principle that theater is a cultural force that belongs to everyone. The nonprofit has received 64 Tony Awards, 194 Obie Awards, 62 Drama Desk Awards, 13 New York Drama Critics’ Circle Awards, and 6 Pulitzer Prizes. The Mobile Unit is currently celebrating its 15th year with Citizens Financial Group as the presenting partner.
