Beautiful Kids Independent Shakespeare could just as well be called the Against All Odds Shakespeare
Company.
For 19 years the ever-changing troupe of young actors has brought Shakespeare to the Needle Hall Stage in
Bowling Green City Park. Organization, and finances, are minimal. With the members shifting as actors
leave town to be replaced by others, though there’s been more stability in the past few summers.
The troupe contends with weather, thunderstorms or chilly weather that has actresses in sundresses
shivering, as was the case during Tuesday’s dress rehearsal.
The play has gone on despite mosquitoes or wandering children interested in joining the show.
The actors must declaim their lines clearly to cut through in the open air, and over the shouts and
laughter from the playground and the whistle of a distant train.
And they cast Shakespeare’s often male-centric plays with casts heavy on female talent.
Exhibit A is the Beautiful Kids current production of “Much Ado About Nothing” on stage tonight, Thursday
and Friday at 7 p.m.
Here one of most reliable Beautiful Kids Kat Moran, who has already tackled such formidable roles as Lady
Macbeth and Ophelia, portrays, really embodies, the quick witted swain Benedick. Moran articulates the
character’s barbed quips with a spontaneous glee, as if these aged one-liners were newly minted.
On arriving from the war with his companion Claudio (Joel Paine) and Don Pedro (Pat Mahood), Benedick
encounters her match, the equally razor-witted and marriage-adverse Beatrice (Danielle BonAnno).
“I was born to speak all mirth, not matter,” declares Beatrice.
Moran and BonAnno are well paired exchanging biting one-liners, as if to keep each other at bay, and yet
with each comic slash revealing they are kindred spirits. This is where the rom-com got its start, and
never has it reached such heights.
More serious of purpose is Claudio who has his eye on Hero (Katy Schlegel), the daughter of their host
Leonato (Scott Stechschulte).
After a bit of romantic deception, nuptials are planned, only to be forestalled by Don Pedro’s evil
“sister,” Don John played by Brittany Albrecht.
As with Moran, Albrecht isn’t pretending to be a man … she doesn’t even dress like one. Instead she
brings her feminine wiles to bear on her henchman Borachio (Griffin Coldiron). Adding a bit of the
coquette to a character who says of herself: “I am a plain dealing villain.”
Together they plot to make Claudio think Hero is unfaithful, leading to one of the most uncomfortable
scenes in a Shakespeare comedy.
Claudio, his heart riven, condemns Hero at the altar. She collapses only to have her father turn on her
in even more bitter terms.
Even as lovers, friends and hosts are pulled apart, Beatrice and Benedick finally come together.
The deception is undone by the most unlike trio. A stalwart watchman  (Carlyn  Campbell), the dim-witted
yet boastful Dogberry (Josh Powell) and the befuddled old Verges (Lynette Cooley). They arrive just as
the play turns dark to stir up some laughter and unravel Don John’s plot. Powell especially thrives in
the role of fool, exclaiming his malapropisms with great authority.
Allie Levine as the bawdy Margaret adds to the levity while  Meghan Johannes as the  wise friar
contributes gravitas.
Director Brigid Randolph with producer Ryan Albrecht and stage manage Alycia Miller steers the cast 
through this trim rendition at under two hours — the actresses in sundresses were appreciative I’m sure.

Despite all odds, the troupe again makes much of very little. This “Much Ado” is a beauty.