Much Ado About Nothing (Hamlet Isn't Dead) NYC Reviews and Tickets

87%

(21 Reviews)

Positive

95%

Mixed

Negative

Members say

Delightful, Entertaining, Great acting, Clever, Hilarious

About the Show

Hamlet Isn't Dead presents Shakespeare's timeless romantic comedy, which follows the ups and downs of love in the Italian countryside.

The blossoming love between young Claudio and Hero is sabotaged by the arch-villain Don John, while bickering Beatrice and Benedick need no help to make each other crazy. As with all Shakespearean comedies, the truth will out (though, in this case, not without some obstruction from the bumbling constable Dogberry) and love will win the day.

Member Reviews (21)

Fast, Funny, Faithful, Sharp, Tuneful

See it if you understand that playing Shakespeare fast & loose is your best chance of playing it faithful to the original.

Don't see it if for you Shakespeare is sacred & immutable. Read more

Absorbing, Clever

See it if It's Much Ado; you know if you want to see it or not. This is a more feminist take than many you see. As good as any production I've seen.

Don't see it if You don't like Shakespeare or need 100% adherence to the text.

Banal, Cliched, Confusing, Boring, Slow

See it if You don't enjoy Shakespeare performed traditionally

Don't see it if You want to see a traditional interpretation of Much Ado About Nothing (one of the greatest plays of all time) Read more

Funny, Entertaining, Clever

See it if Fab folks at HID gift us again w lighthearted Shakespeare where the tragedy is shortlived & the villains are vanquished w shrugs. Super fun!

Don't see it if you dislike modern interpretations. Note that HID reveres Shakespeare's language. Any added elements only enhance. WS would approve-Probably

Delightful, Great acting, Great staging, Great music, Fun

See it if you like romance or comedy or romantic comedies

Don't see it if you don't want music in your Shakespeare Read more

Entertaining, Funny, Hilarious, Delightful, Absorbing

See it if You love HID shows - fun music - hilarious clowns - & some great acting

Don't see it if Go see it !

Clever, Entertaining, Funny

See it if You're interested in a fun, fresh take on Shakespeare's classic comedy.

Don't see it if You don't like change.

Absorbing, Delightful, Entertaining, Must see, Hilarious

See it if you like to have a great night out; you like to see Shakespeare staged in a way that makes it relevant and entertaining to a modern audience

Don't see it if you only prefer 4th wall intact Shakespeare; you don't like to have fun! Read more

Critic Reviews (2)

"Joyful and high-energy production...The play text is streamlined and rendered with speed, clarity, and exuberance...Talented cast...Expertly moves between moments of slapstick humour and deeply felt emotion...Focus is on the language-spoken with such colloquial clarity that it hardly seems out of place...The performance embraces joy and merriment but with such skill that it doesn't seem naïve or simplistic. This is Shakespeare that is accessible and moving."
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"Evident in every moment is the company's affection for the text and joy in playing. Director James Rightmyer Jr. leans full tilt into the title's meaning - there is, indeed, much ado along the journey the characters take, but as things wind to a happy end and the company joins in song, there is the most joy and release as they hit the nonsense refrain...I thoroughly enjoyed myself during this high-quality performance. A truly excellent cast across the board."
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