Have you ever seen a modern Shakespeare production that was done well? What about a modern Shakespearean production with a twist of Taylor Swift? Just wait and see what Kings High School’s play director, Pete Moore, brings to the stage.

In December, Kings Theatre will perform the Shakespeare classic Much Ado about Nothing. The plot features the sassy, anti-romantics Benedick and Beatrice, who “claim” to hate each other.

But their friends and neighbors, with not much else to do, conspire to make them a couple. In the midst of the dilemmas between Benedick and Beatrice, the marriage of Beatrice’s cousin, Hero, and Benedick’s serious companion, Claudio, falls into jeopardy as the villain, Don John, conspires to break them up.

But that’s just the Shakespeare script — before Moore added some modern spice. The Kings production, for example, will feature Taylor Swift songs throughout the show, as well as Benedick and Claudio being involved in a Taylor Swift cover band.  

Moore believes the audience will enjoy his vision of the show, especially since it’s a comedy.

“Comedy is normal people placed in a comic situation. It allows characters to be real and relatable, for them to be human. It lets the situation to bring out the humor.” said Moore.

He decided to interweave Taylor Swift into the show after listening to a few covers of her songs and playing a little closer attention to the lyrics.

“Her lyrics are melodramatic, romantic, and really moody. These same adjectives describe Much Ado about Nothing.” said Moore,

Addie Collins, a member of the cast who will be playing Balthasar, is excited for the show. “Balthasar is so quirky. I am really looking forward to playing such a fun character alongside some of my best friends.“

In addition, Kings High School sophomore English teachers have their students read the play as a part of their classroom curriculum. Honors English Teacher Jonathan Bitzer said he looks forward to giving students more insight into Shakespeare.

“I think teaching it gives students the best opportunity to come to the play with experience and analysis to be able to understand and enjoy it even more,” said Bitzer.

The cast includes:
Don Pedro……………………………………………………………………………… Austin Roberts
Benedick………………………………………………………………………… Dane Doebereiner
Don John……………………………………………………………………………Skyler Reisinger
Claudio……………………………………………………………………………………… Chris Roat
Balthasar………………………………………………………………………………… Addie Collins
Singer……………………………………………………………………………………… Teagan Bays
Conrade………………………………………………………………………………… Grant Shields
Borrachio………………………………………………………………………………… Sam Purkiss
Leonato……………………………………………………………………………………… Ethan Cain
Antonia……………………………………………………………………………… Jonathan Moster
Hero………………………………………………………………………… Zoey Fitzgerald-Kidwell
Beatrice…………………………………………………………………….…………… Morgan Reece
Margaret…………………………………………………………………………………… Amy Helms
Ursula………………………………………………………………………………..… Amber Mitchell
Pastor Frances…………………………………………………………………..… Julianna Powers
Sexton……………………………………………………………………………….…… Claire Galberg
Dogberry………………………………………………………………………………… Michael Kaper
Verges…………………………………………………………………………..… Andrea Montenegro
Seacole………………………………………………………………………………….…… Chloe Super
First Watchwoman………………………………………………………………………… Lydia Berg
Second Watchman…………………………………………………..…………………… Zack Justus
Messenger (Act 1) ……………………………………………………………………. Shawn Render
Messenger (Act 2) ……………………………………………………………… Michaela Williams
Groupies, Hired Help, Dancers, Mourners…………Alec Freeman, Sarah Drees, Jess Harmon, Erin Abney, Maddy Steward, Shannon Sullivan, & Delaney Mettey

By Amber Mitchell