The cast and crew of Much Ado About Nothing. Photo Credit: SARAH SHARPE
BY SARAH SHARPE
Cooper City High School’s drama department presented this year’s annual Shakespeare spring play, Much Ado About Nothing, on April 10th and 11th. Following the antics of two pairs of lovers, Benedick (senior Patrick O’Dea) and Beatrice (senior Megan Ellett) and Claudio (junior Peter Pera) and Hero (senior Skylar Hinds), Shakespeare’s 18th play is thought to be one of his best comedies.
Originally set in Messina, a port on the island of Sicily in the 16th century, director Angela Thomas and assistant director Catherine Campos found a way to make the show relevant to it’s cast and audience of high school students. Instead of a prince and his officers arriving home from a successful battle, the world famous boy band, Aragon, have just finished their world tour. Benedick comes home to find his on-again/off-again girlfriend, Beatrice, whereas Claudio has fallen in love with and wants to marry Beatrice’s cousin, Hero. However, Don John (senior Aaron Rones), a member of the band that is Aragon’s rival and brother of Aragon member Don Pedro (senior David Castorena), is looking to wreak chaos on the two young couples, which leads to a staged affair and feigned death.
Senior Melanie Cossin once again took on the job of choreographer. After successfully bringing some modern moves to A Midsummer Night’s Dreams last year, Cossin was ready to go out with a bang for her final performance on the CCHS stage.
“Dance has been my passion for as long as I can remember,” Cossin said. “When I was younger I always dreamed of becoming a choreographer, so when I was given the chance to have my dances featured in this show, I was more than happy to contribute.”
Bringing Shakespeare into the 21st century is no easy task, but Cossin’s visions were incredibly brought to life, making the audience feel as if they were actually at a rock concert.
“My choreography is solely based on pop-culture,” Cossin said. “From The Beatles to The Village People to One Direction, the goal of the dance moves was to draw the audience into the story through recognizable songs and iconic steps from some of their favorite boy band eras.”
Performing right alongside the main characters were senior Mark Yarce as the CEO of Messina Records, junior Zack Levine as Don John’s comrade, Borachio, freshman Alec De Jesus as another member of Don John’s band, Conrade, sophomore Jennifer Lopez as head of the police force, Ms. Dogberry, senior Sarah Park as Hero’s best friend, Margaret, and many of more of CCHS’s finest performers.
As for next year, there’s no word yet on what productions the CCHS drama department has in store. However, no matter what they are, it’s sure to be another great year of theatre.
“I know I’ll definitely be coming down from UCF to support my theatre family with what is sure to be another hit,” Cossin said. “Between the amazing performances opportunities, creative development process, and countless memories made, I’m definitely going to miss the program that gave me a second family that I’ll always cherish.”
