Another great ending to another great season at Orlando Shakes.  This year it was Much Ado About Nothing.  You have to really hand it to the Shakes troupe.  They performed both Merchant and Much Ado on alternating nights.  Quite a feat to remember all that text.  

This years rendition brought us to post WWI Italy where Benedick,  played by Darren Bridgett and Claudio,  played by Armistead Johnson reminded us what a fun story this is.  Darren was probably the highlight of the play.   During the scenes where he and Beatrice were being "set up" to believe they were in love with each outer, he performed these comedic antics that reminded us of some other Orlando greats (Hissom, Williams).   This is Darren's second season with the group and we hope to see much more of him hanging from the rafers (literally).

Marni Penning, who we loved in Merchant this season, also wowed us as Beatrice,  She clearly stole both shows in her debut season.  We hope to see a lot more of here. 

Lastly I must mention Steven Patterson as Don Pedro.   We continue to love when he performs, he has impecabble timling and style and pulls us all into the characters he portrays.