Much Ado About Maine

Sigh no more, ladies, sigh no more…

I recently returned from an extraordinary summer of Shakespeare up in my native New England, where I’d always rather be in the summer than the sweltering city, if I can help it. I played Don Pedro in Much Ado About Nothing, a role I’ve wanted to take a crack at for some time, and the experience was as magical as you hope outdoor Shakespeare in one of the most beautiful places in America would be.

The historic lobster-fishing town of Stonington, ME is home to the Stonington Opera House, which presents outdoor Shakespeare each summer on the island of Deer Isle. Our director, Emma Rosa Went, and a talented team of designers and technicians created a gorgeous outdoor set in a public park: a porch, a well, and some hanging laundry provided us our own little Andrew Wyeth painting in which the raucous comedy and deep passion of one of my favorite Shakespeare plays could play out in a way that felt truly timeless. When the lupine was in bloom and the sea-birds were singing, it was truly trasncendent. The play, infused with Emma’s trademark combination of intimacy and silliness, was an absolute joy to perform.

The cast grew so close in our little Maine hideaway that it was hard to say goodbye, but I return to New York knowing I’ve made some true new friends, and that this will certainly not be the last time I work with these folks.

Hey, nonny nonny.