Will the young lovers Claudio and Hero survive the devious meddling of others? The course of true love never did run smooth, as they say...in a different Shakespeare play...

About the Director, Andy Houchins 

I have been with the Atlanta Shakespeare Company since 2005, and this is my 12th production as director. In addition to acting as the Associate Director of Training and an Associate Producer with the company, I recently received an MA in Arts Administration at the University of Kentucky.

Previous directing credits: Sherwood, The Two Gentlemen of Verona, Much Ado About Nothing, As You Like It, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Romeo & Juliet, Edward III, The Comedy of Errors, Double Falsehood, Thornton Wilder’s Our Town, The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged), and a staged reading of The Two Gentlemen of Lebowski. Other directing credits: Fat Pig at Aurora Theatre, Tape at O.L.S.S. All my love to Megan, Stella, and Molly.

Meet The Cast 

Show Times and Ticket Information 

$15 General Admission Preview Thursday September 8, 2022
$20 Gen Admission Preview Friday September 9, 2022

Shows run Thursdays through Sundays  September 10-October 2, 2022.
Shows begin at 7:30pm Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays (Lobby opens at 5:45pm. Seating begins at 6:15pm)
Shows begin at 2:30pm Sundays (Lobby opens at 12:45pm. Seating begins at 1:15pm)

Have a look at our seating areas and learn about ticket prices here.

Click on the ticket icon at the top of the page or on the calendar at the bottom of the page when you're ready to buy tickets.

Food and drinks (optional and separate from ticket price) available 75 minutes before every show. Food and drink bars close 10 minutes prior to curtain. 

Post Show Q&A Information 

Join us for a post show Q&A on Sunday September 18, 2022

Plot Synopsis (Contains Spoilers!) 

Synopsis

Leonato, Governor of Messina, is host to Don Pedro, the Prince of Arragon, who has come from suppressing a rebellion by his bastard brother, Don John. With Pedro are John, now “reconciled” to him; Claudio, a young Florentine lord, of whom John is bitterly resentful; and a Paduan lord, Benedick, said to be a confirmed bachelor and engaged in a “merry war” with Leonato’s niece, Beatrice, apparently a confirmed spinster. Claudio loves Leonato’s daughter, Hero; Don John swears to thwart him. After a masked ball the wedding of Claudio and Hero is planned. Borachio, Don John’s follower, tells him that having seen that the Prince and Claudio are listening, he will exchange love vows by night with Hero’s gentlewoman, dressed in her mistress’s clothes, at Hero’s bedroom window.

Pedro, Claudio and Leonato ensure that Benedick (hidden in a garden arbour) hears them discuss Beatrice’s presumably passionate love for him. Hero and Ursula play a similar trick on the listening Beatrice (here the passion is Benedick’s). On the night before the wedding Don John offers to give the Prince and Claudio proof of Hero’s unfaithfulness. Later, Borachio heard boasting about his successful deceit to a drunken comrade, is arrested by the Watch and taken to Dogberry, the constable. Before Leonato can know anything, the wedding ceremony is due. In the church Claudio denounces Hero, who faints. The Friar proposes that Hero be reported dead and hidden until the truth is known. Beatrice, much grieved, urges Benedick to kill Claudio. At length all is revealed and the penitent Claudio promises to marry a niece of Leonato, said to be the image of the “dead” Hero. She is, of course, Hero herself; Beatrice and Benedick, as expected, resolve their “merry war,” and news comes that Don John has been taken prisoner.

-The Pocket Companion to Shakespeare’s Plays by J C Trewin

Running Times 

Act 1 is 70 minutes

Act 2 is 75 minutes

There will be one 15 minute intermission. 

The show will end around 10:30pm (5:30pm on Sundays)

Our Show Sponsor 

THANK YOU TO C. MATTHEW PALMER FOR SPONSORING THIS PRODUCTION!

If you're interested in sponsoring a future Tavern show, here's how!

COVID Protocol For Attending 

Please refer to our protocol listing here.

Baby It's Cold...Inside 

Tip from your fellow patrons: bring a sweater or a jacket to the shows this summer. Our air conditioning is working hard to keep the actors, audience and our kitchen cool, and it might be doing too good of a job! Light blankets are for sale in the gift shop if you need one!

Tickets

$15 General Admission Preview Thursday September 8, 2022
$20 Gen Admission Preview Friday September 9, 2022

Shows run Thursdays through Sundays September 10-October 2, 2022.