Shakespeare Carolina arrives on campus!

Think Shakespeare’s plays are hopelessly old-fashioned? Shakespeare Carolina has the remedy.

The classical canon theatre company will present “Much Ado About Nothing” July 22-24 at 8 p.m. nightly in Johnson Hall on Winthrop’s campus. The production marks a new partnership between Shakespeare Carolina and Winthrop.

Shakespeare Carolina’s actors will explore the intersecting lives of Benedick (Henry Cabaniss) and Beatrice (Iesha Hoffman), who would be a perfect match if not for one small snag: They can't stand each other. Their family and friends see the potential and set about bringing them together. However, their plans are thwarted when villainous Don John (Brian Willard) aims to destroy his brother Don Pedro (Lou Dalessandro) as well as the marriage of heroic Claudio (John Bryan) to his beautiful fiancée, Hero (Whitney Drury). With its tangle of mistaken identities, screw-ups and sharp, observant wit, "Much Ado About Nothing" remains one of Shakespeare's most enduring romantic comedies. Chris O'Neill, artistic director for Shakespeare Carolina and technical director/facility manager for Winthrop's Department of Music, will direct the production.

The three-day production of “Much Ado About Nothing” is partially funded by the Arts Council of York County Small Grants Program. The Rock Hill Tourism Commission, the John and Susan Bennett Memorial Arts Fund of the Coastal Community Foundation of S.C., the S.C. Arts Commission and the National Endowment for the Arts supplied funding for the grants program.

"Much Ado About Nothing" tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students, seniors and active military. To purchase tickets, visit http://www.carolinatix.org.

Shakespeare Carolina, formed in 1997, is the Metrolina area’s only theatre company devoted to the classical canon. Since its inception, the theatre company has produced 11 iconic and lesser-known Shakespearean plays, including “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” “Anthony and Cleopatra” and “Macbeth.” For more information, visit the Shakespeare Carolina website.