The Public Theater has announced the tour schedule and casting for its Mobile Unit adaptation of Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing. Performances will run May 29-June 29, with Rebecca Martinez directing.
The cast will include Carlo Alb谩n as Borachio/Friar Francis/Musician, Hiram Delgado as Don Pedro/Verges, Robert Marcelo Jim茅nez as Leonato/Watch, Keren Lugo as Beatrice, Cornelius McMoyler as Dogberry, Sara Ornelas as Margaret/Sexton, Nathan M. Ramsey as Benedick, Mayelah Barrera as Hero, Daniel Bravo Hern谩ndez as Claudio, and Mart铆n Ortiz as Don Juan/Conrade. Understudies Katherine George and Jonathan Gabriel Mousset round out the company.
The new take on Shakespeare's classic tale adds Latine influences and original music by Julian Mesri, with additional lyrics by Martinez. The 90-minute, family-friendly production is presented mostly in English, with some Spanish incorporated.
The production will first be performed at correctional facilities, followed by preview performances at Astor Place. The full tour will include 25 performances in public plazas and parks across all five boroughs, presented in partnership with NYC Parks and others.
鈥淢obile Unit was founded by Joe Papp in 1957, and it is really the foundation of everything we do at the Public鈥攆rom it sprang Free Shakespeare in the Park, The Delacorte, The Public Theater, Joe's Pub, and all the extraordinary shows and programs we have created over the past seven decades,鈥� Artistic Director Oskar Eustis said in a statement. 鈥�15 years ago, we revived the Mobile Unit and re-established its position as central to our identity. Of all our programs, only Mobile Unit has an audience that exactly matches the demographics of New York City. It truly is a theatre for the people.鈥�
"Rebecca perfectly exemplifies the artistic innovation Mobile Unit brings forth, embracing the way theatre can act as a town square for all New Yorkers,鈥� added Director of Civic Artistic Programs Pablo Hernandez Basulto. 鈥淪he and Julian understand the flexibility required for the same show to be transformative in a small community center and for a thousand people in a park. I can't wait to see once again neighbors gathering shoulder to shoulder, ready to be entertained.鈥�
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