'Much' to be thankful for at Cal Rep

William Shakespeare might not recognize Cal Rep's production of his play, 'Much Ado About Nothing" were he alive today, but he'd probably have a damn good time anyway.

Updating the Bard's comedy of love and errors to a World War II USO canteen, without changing any of the text's Old English, Cal Rep director Patrick Watkins has taken a big risk. But by weaving Big Band-era standards into the play during a few appropriate interludes, he's found an imaginative way to modernize the narrative without compromising Shakes-peare's language.

"Much Ado ... " stars Doina Roman-Osborn and Jeff Paul as Beatrice and Benedick, two sharp-tongued would-be lovers who spend most of the play insulting each other before learning of the other's romantic interest through third parties.

A second pair of lovers, Claudio (Matt Gitkin) and Hero (Deanna Boyd), nearly have their wedding foiled by the villainous John (played by John Shepard and converted here into a Nazi sympathizer). Claudio and Hero provide an exaggerated mirror of the sardonic tussles between Beatrice and Benedick; their glassy-eyed love for each other is enough to sap the passion from anyone.

"Much Ado ... " is one of Shakespeare's lighter plays, and Cal Rep's production smartly plays up the play's generous doses of broad, character-based humor.

Roman-Osborn is a standout as the sarcastic Beatrice, clearly one of Shakespeare's most liberated female creations.

As Benedick, Paul is her perfect match, showing a gift for physical comedy reminiscent of Dick Van Dyke, Lucille Ball and other old-school stage and screen stars.

Viewers of the 1993 screen version of "Much Ado ... " will find little of director Kenneth Branagh's traditional approach to Shakespeare, and none of the film's lush Italian countryside, But there's more than enough laughter and music to compensate for that.

Scenic designer Rex Heuschkel and costume designer Liz Hubner recreate the exuberance and unity of 1942 America in the officer's club where most of the play takes place.

Heuschkel's nicest touches include red, white and blue balloons and framed photographs of WW II icons such as General Patton and Audie Murphy.

Hubner's radiant costumes show a fine eye for detail and a willingness to spare no expense, particularly the handsome dresses worn by Beatrice and the play's other female characters.

"Much Ado ... " plays Wednesday through Saturday, Sept. 23 through Oct. 14 in the Studio Theatre on campus.

Wednesday performances begin at 6 p.m. All other performances begin at 8 p.m. Saturday matinees are scheduled at 2 p.m. Sept. 30 and Oct. 7. Tickets are $15. For more information, call (310) 985-7000.