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Much Ado about 'Much Ado'

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Westmont

Mak Manson’s stellar performance as Benedick was too big to hide
Mak Manson’s stellar performance as Benedick was too big to hide

Westmont College Festival Theatre’s production of “Much Ado about Nothing” made a big splash on audiences who continued to pack Porter Theatre through the final weekend. Paige Tautz (Beatrice) and Mak Manson (Benedick) stole the show, finely balancing doses of physical comedy and slapstick.  The last three shows (Nov. 1-3) drew 490 people, two shy of complete sellouts at a theatre with a maximum capacity at seats 164.

Paige Tautz took the plunge during her hilarious portrayal of Beatrice
Paige Tautz took the plunge during her hilarious portrayal of Beatrice

First-year students Kendall Shurance (Hero) and Connor Bush convincingly explored a wide-range of emotion in the span of the 150-minute play. Senior Sam Martin (Don Pedro), junior Chris Wagstaffe (Dogberry) and junior Ben Offringa (Don John) also shone in their spirited performances.

In other theater news, actors from Shakespeare’s Globe in London performed Nov. 7 in Porter Theatre, exploring “Hamlet” in anticipation of their performances at UCSB’s Campbell Hall on Nov. 8-9. Westmont is the event sponsor of UCSB Arts & Lectures’ presentation of the Bard’s riveting and timeless tragedy.

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