Lamp-Lite Theatre in Nacogdoches will open its 50th PURE GOLD ENTERTAINMENT season with Pat Harris’ adaptation of Much Ado about Nothing, Friday, September 16, 2022. The play will run for two weekends, Friday and Saturday, September 16, 17, 23, and 24, 7:30 pm, and Sunday, September 18 and 25, 2:00 pm, at Lamp-Lite Theatre, 4210 Lamp-Lite Lane, Nacogdoches, Texas.
Individual tickets go on sale September 2nd at Kline’s/Wrap-It-Up, North University Drive, and the Charles Bright Visitors Center, 200 East Main. The tickets will also be on sale 45 minutes prior to all performances at Lamp-Lite Theatre. Prices are $15 for adults, $12 for seniors 62+ years old, and $8 for students.
Season Passes are also on sale starting August 29, 2022, and include six ticket punches that may be used in any combination for any production for the season. Prices are $80 for adults, $65 for seniors 62+ years old, and $40 for students. A Patrons Season Pass is $350 and includes the six passes and special recognition in the program. More information is available at the Lamp-Lite website: www.lamplitetheatre.com.
In Harris’ unique adaptation of Shakespeare’s Much Ado about Nothing, words are underscored by a Chorus of Muses, whose songs comment on the action, forward the story, and add greatly to the entertainment for the audience. The story takes place in the mid-1800s in Messina, Italy. An entourage of soldiers, villains, and lovers join a bumbling group of officials to present a tale of friendship and rivalry, honor and deception, wit and foolishness, and love.
Leading the cast are Beatrice, played by Roz Couch, and Benedick, played by Jamie Couch, two people who have sworn never to fall in love. Their friends dupe them into believing that the two are each in love with the other. Ian Reed portrays Count Claudio and Olivia Dean portrays Hero, the young couple who are in love and plan to marry. Claudio is duped by the villains to mistrust Hero.
Constable Dogberry, played by Scott Parrish, leads the bumbling Night Watchmen, played by Lex Johnson, River Delcambre, Richard Malloy, and Chad Fisher, in unraveling the villainous plot. Tiffany Guantt, LaChanda Maxie, Linda Licht, and Dixie Thompson play the Muses. Carrel King and Jody Ryan provide musical accompaniment.
Portraying additional noblemen, servants, and messengers are Danny Negrete, Bill Small, Mark Perkins, Nikolaas VanKley, Madison Roberts, Tim Hogle, Shelby Toner, and JaCarlos Devon. Pat Harris directs Much Ado about Nothing, Katherine Whitbeck serves as assistant director, Charisse Gregory as musical director, and Tari Dean as stage manager. Follow the Facebook Page Lamp-Lite Theatre for more information.
Katherine P. Whitbeck
Lamp-Lite Board of Directors, Publicity
PO Box 630521
Nacogdoches, TX 75963-0521