Much Ado About Nothing (2004)
Written by William ShakespeareDirected by David Esbjornson
Sam Waterston, who played Benedick in the wildly successful 1972 production of Much Ado About Nothing, returned to the Delacorte Theater to play Leonato with his daughter Elizabeth in the role of Hero.
Prince Don Pedro brings his soldiers to stop in Messina at the house of Leonato. His friend Claudio falls in love with Leonato’s daughter Hero and his friend Benedick trades barbs and witticisms with Leonato’s niece Beatrice. The Prince arranges a marriage between Claudio and Hero and while they await the wedding day he plots with them to bring together Beatrice and Benedick, both of whom stubbornly believe that marriage is not for them. Benedick and Beatrice are tricked into falling in love, but the happiness of all is spoiled when Don John, the Prince’s brother, is able to stop the wedding by making it appear as though Hero has been with another man. Claudio refuses to marry Hero, whose death is faked in order to protect her. A watchman uncovers Don John’s deception and he is arrested. When the truth is revealed to all, Hero is restored to Claudio and Benedick asks for Beatrice’s hand in marriage.