Written by orange• November 18, 2025• 1:03 am• College Theatre, Golden West College, Huntington Beach, Review, Theater, Uncategorized

GWC Theater Presents: Much Ado About Nothing @ Golden West College in Huntington Beach – Review

photo credit: Greg Parks

Written by Patrick Chavis

Much Ado About Nothing is playing now at Golden West College in Huntington Beach – November 14 – 23, 2025.

Martie Ramm’s direction of Much Ado About Nothing is as modern as the sleek, magazine-style program handed out at the performance. This playbill is definitely a keeper, as well as the production. Yes, I keep my playbills; they’re memories.

EPIC!

Story:

The rom-com is about two couples. One are a pair of bickering enemies. The other couple is entangled in a plot of deceit. Can love persist?

This stylish production proves the tale doesn’t look out of place against a 2025 backdrop. While there is some diction and acting fumbles along the way, it is not enough to disrupt this conceptually cogent and well-rendered production of Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing.

As is often done, Shakespeare’s play is adapted into different eras and concepts while maintaining the original essence of the story. This production of Much Ado About Nothing at Golden West College, is set in modern times. Josh Whedon, known for the tv series Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel, directed a film adaptation of Much Ado About Nothing that was also set in the modern day in 2012. I see similarities between Goldenwest’s production and Whedon’s film, but I don’t know if the film inspired it.

Paraphrasing, of course, but the director setting it in 2025 was an attempt to show the timelessness of the material. Even in a time of smartphones and social media, a story about rumors and betrayal in IRL is still worth covering and exploring.

I have to agree with Ramm here. Just two years ago, the film Anyone but You, starring Sydney Sweeney and Glen Powell, a different title but very much an adaptation of Much Ado About Nothing, was the highest-grossing Shakespeare film adaptation of all time up to this point. Sometimes money talks, and other times it whistles.

Set/Costume Design:

I found the quality of construction in this modern estate by Scenic Designer Tim Mueller to be magnificent, like something you might see in an architecture catalog. The design provides three accessible spaces for the play’s action: an office-like environment on the left, a patio outside walkway in the middle, and, on the right, a dinner-and-party-like atmosphere. Using very defined lines, grass, and steps, each section has its own identity, while the overall design remains cohesive with the modern concept the production is aiming for.

Amanda Martin follows suit with some literal sharp suits and a variety of simple but elegant outfits. Her attempt to bring more modern fashions into this story achieved excellent results. The color palette and variety of costumes worked for these characters: the dapper military uniforms the officers, Hero’s more traditional dresses, and a mix of casual wear for Beatrice.

Acting:

For such a significant character, it’s quite surprising how few words Hero (Catherine Dosier) has in this play, which makes it a challenge for the actress to convey the character’s feelings to the audience. It’s performance dependent and can be one of those details that can break such a vital part of the show.

Dosier brought such depth and emotion to sequences that required very few words. Her intense focus spoke volumes through nonverbal acting.

Jonathan West (Don John, the Bastard), is diabolical, as he should be. There was something very relaxed about his presence on stage, which made his dealings seem all the more sinister.

One of the original will-they-won’t-they couples, Beatrice (Kristin Nemecek) and Benedict (Salvatore Messina), are a great pairing. Messina brings the energy, while Nemecek’s calm enthusiasm brings out a comedic and romantic vibe between the actors.

When considering the ensemble’s performance as a whole, some on stage performed more smoothly than others, but every cast member put in a solid effort. Shakespearean language is challenging, especially when you translate it through your actions and emotions.

I give Much Ado About Nothing at Golden West College and 8.4 out of 10! It’s a very good show! OCR Recommended!