We are so blessed here in Round Rock to have an amazing group of performers present Shakespeare each summer for us – outdoors and free of charge! Much Ado About Nothing is the eighth production in the “Penfold in the Park” series, an annual offering of free, outdoor summer theatre, made possible by a partnership with the Round Rock Parks & Recreation Dept. Performances take place in the amphitheater of the Centennial Plaza.
The soldiers return victorious from war, but the merry sparring – and sparks – between the stubborn bachelor Benedick and the self-assured Beatrice have just begun! Meanwhile, young Claudio and Hero are standing at the altar when schemes of the villainous Don John threaten to sour everyone’s happiness. Now, all hope for happy endings lies in the hands of the bumbling members of the Night’s Watch. Set on the Texas frontier, Penfold’s original adaptation of Shakespeare’s classic features live music and a cast of six virtuosic performers.
Run time is about 2 hours with one intermission.
Recommended for middle school ages and up.
MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING is written by William Shakespeare; adapted and directed by Ryan Crowder; and featuring Nathan Jerkins, Jennifer Jennings, Nathan Daniel Ford, Emily Smith, Suzanne Balling and Taylor Flanagan.
Showtimes & location
May 31 – June 23, 2018
Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00pm.
Free admission, donations appreciated.
Round Rock Amphitheater
301 W. Bagdad Ave, Round Rock TX 78664
The Amphitheater is located behind the Baca Senior Center. Click here to view a map online. Coming from I-35, take exit 252 for Hwy 620. At the light, turn east onto 620. Then turn right on Brown Street. Brown Street dead ends into the parking lot for the Amptheater. Free parking is available in the parking lot; in one of the nearby parking garages (below and across the street from the Baca Senior Center); or on the street.
Guests may bring picnic blankets or lawn chairs to sit on. Food and drink is also permitted. However, for safety reasons, the city asks guests to avoid glass containers.
Penfold Theatre is dedicated to making live, professional theatre accessible to all. In keeping with this commitment, Much Ado About Nothing is the eighth installment in the company’s “Penfold in the Park” series, an annual offering of free, outdoor summer theatre, made possible by a partnership with the City of Round Rock Parks & Recreation Department.
Support their efforts by making a donation online or at the performance!
Another way you can help is to purchase discounted tickets to a Round Rock Express game! For every lawn and infield ticket sold, the Express will donate $2 and $3 respectively to the production of Much Ado About Nothing. Come to the game on Wednesday June 13th, and you’ll also have a chance to meet the Penfold creative team, who will be at Dell Diamond as the featured Chasco Community Nonprofit that night!
