Under director Matt Pfeiffer’s helm, Akeem Davis (Benedick) and Brett Ashley Robinson (Beatrice) and the cast of “Much Ado About Nothing” bring Shakespeare’s late comedy (1598 or shortly thereafter) to a welcomed level of excellence at Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival 2022. This is a “Much Ado” not to be missed. In this pleasing production, Don Pedro (a likeable and energetic Lindsay Smiling) and his friends’ visit to Messina is a delightful dip into the realm of the disparity between reality and appearance, the realm of non-traditional gender roles, and the often unpredictable and volatile realm of love.

The rocky relationship between Don Pedro’s friend Benedick (a charming and engaging Akeem Davis) and Leonato’s (Eric Hissom) niece Beatrice (a brilliantly strident Brett Ashley Robinson) counterpoints the main plot in “Much Ado” which is the untangling of the obstacles that stand between the marriage of Don Pedro’s friend Claudio (a loveable and disarming Gabe Moses) and Leonato’s daughter Hero (Taylor Congdon). The former relationship grapples with gender role stereotypes while the latter confronts disconnect between reality and appearance when the nefarious Don John (Sean Close) challenges the pair’s loyalty.

On the road to reconciliation, the couples and their cohorts traverse the canon of Shakespearean comedic (and dramatic) tropes and conventions. Akeem Davis, Brett Ashley Robinson, Gabe Moses, and Taylor Congdon skillfully navigate their characters through subterfuge, the enemies to lovers dynamic, characters attempting deny their true feelings, comic relief (Dogberry and the watch), and an abundance of delicious irony.  Although this quartet of actors delivers believable and authentic performances, Akeem Davis and Brett Ashley Robinson give outstanding and unforgettable performances. They honor Shakespeare with unbridled vernacular and some of the finest delivery of iambic pentameter this critic has witnessed.

Kudos to Anthony Lawton (Dogberry) and the PSF Young Company members Sydney Abbot and Kayman Brown for providing the comic relief that exposes the dastardly Don John. It is difficult for young actors to share the stage with veteran actors; however, the generosity of this “Much Ado” cast allows them to practice their craft on a professional stage with grace.

The ensemble cast brings this “Much Ado” to its “all’s well that ends well” to a heartfelt denouement and they are to be commended for their performances. The uncomplicated scenic design by Paige Hathaway is serviceable.  The non-traditional costume design by LeVonne Lindsay is fresh and welcomed. The lighting design by Steve TenEyck, and the sound design by David M. Greenberg add credibility to the production’s exacting standards.

Falling in love with someone is never easy, staying in love even more difficult. Finding the right community to nurture love is seemingly impossible. However, the Bard can make it attainable and desirable. Congratulations to the Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival for bringing “Much Ado About Nothing” to the stage with such commendable strength.