After holding open auditions River Company, the community theater in residence at Skidompha Library, is pleased to announce the casting of its Summer Shakspeare in the Library show, “Much Ado About Nothing.”

Director Torie DeLisle, and Assistant Director Caleb Eugley have made some bold casting choices which are already proving to bring a new and playful twist to this classic comedy.

Ben Meader and Jessica DeLisle play Benedick and Beatrice. This pair last showed their sharp onstage chemistry as Kate and Petruchio in last summer’s Taming of the Shrew.

Several of the lead parts have been cast more unconventionally.  The roles of Don Pedro, Leonato, Don John, will all be played as female parts.  Donna Pedra will be played by well known local actor Andrea Handel, Leonata is Christine Andersen,  recently seen in Enchanted April, and Donna Julia, the bastard villain, will be played by local actor Thalia Eddyblouin, who is back after her first year studying theater at the University of Connecticut. Other feminized characters are Beth Rowe as Vergina (formerly Verges), Cindy Seigar as Georgina Seacoal (formerly George).

The cast is filled out with Rachel Kaplan as Hero, Micheal Powers as Antonio, Mary Catherine Eddyblouin as Margaret, Jelena Godrijan as Ursula, Amy Holt as Claudio, Sumner Richards as Borachio, Sam Inman as Conrad, Mike Rowe as Dogberry, Rigel DeLisle as Second Watchman, and Blaise Eddyblouin as Boy.

The show production team includes Cathy Jones, Costumer; Emily Meader, Stage Manager; and Allison Eddyblouin, Producer. The show will be performed in the atrium of Skidompha Library July 26-28, and Aug. 2-4, Fridays and Saturdays at 7 p.m., and Sundays at 3 p.m. 

Tickets will be available for purchase at Skidompha and https://rivercompany.ticketspice.com/much-ado-about-nothing