Alexandra Finazzo of Chapel Hill, NC To Perform as Second Watch in William Peace Theatre’s Production of Shakespeare’s spirited romantic comedy "Much Ado About Nothing" April 1-5, 2014.

2014 Mar 28

William Peace University (http://www.peace.edu), a private four-year university located in the heart of downtown Raleigh, has announced that William Peace Theatre will conclude its spring 2014 semester with Shakespeare’s spirited romantic comedy, Much Ado About Nothing, from Tuesday, April 1 through Saturday, April 5 in Leggett Theatre (Main Building) on the WPU campus. The production will begin at 7:30 p.m. each night with a special matinee performance on April 5 at 2:00 p.m.

Alexandra Finazzo, a Chapel Hill, NC native and Class of 2016 B.F.A. major, is thrilled to perform in her first Shakespeare play as Second Watch for "Much Ado About Nothing." She was most recently seen in "Living Dead in Demark" (Titania/Gravedigger/ Macduff), which up to this point was the closest she’s been to anything Shakespeare or zombie-related. Other credits include "The Mystery of Edwin Drood" (Flo/Puffer Understudy) and "Into the Woods" (Stepmother) for William Peace Theatre, "Urinetown" (Officer Barrel/ Pennywise Understudy), and "Chicago" (Mama Morton). She is excited to perform in the University's first-ever Shakespeare play.

Co-directed by Eliza Fisher Laskowski, Ph.D., and Wade Newhouse, Ph.D., Much Ado offers a tale of two courtships: “Beatrice” (played by Junior Rachel Pottern) and “Benedick” (played by Sophomore Tyler Graeper) elevate the art of the quarrel in their duel of glittering wordplay, while “Claudio” (Delphon L. Curtis, Jr. ’16) and “Hero” (Abbe Fralix ’15) are instantly smitten with one another. However, the scheming and envious “Don John” (Daryl Munroe ’15) vows to ruin Claudio and Hero's happiness. Comical watchmen challenge devious scoundrels, honor and desire collide -- and a story filled with laughter and love unfolds.

With imaginative set design co-created by Sonya Leigh Drum ’93 and David Jensen, vibrant costume design by Laura Parker, J.D., and original compositions by Junior Maigan Kennedy of Raleigh, NC, Much Ado’s Mediterranean colors and soundscape brings to life the feeling of a hot Italian day where lover’s coalesce and quarrel. “Our wonderful designers have washed the stage in the warm, cheerful colors of the Italian Riviera, so it’s easy for the students to lose themselves in the idyllic lives of their characters,” said Dr. Eliza Laskowski. “Though there are dark moments in the plot, this production is grounded in comedy, and the sun-drenched atmosphere and vibrant costumes add the perfect touch.”

Dr. Wade Newhouse added, “The program here at Peace tries to give our students new opportunities with each show: new genres of theatre, new skills to work on, new technical challenges. A Shakespearean comedy is a special combination of challenges, and this cast made our production of Much Ado About Nothing their own from the first day of rehearsal. Everyone has contributed ideas for comic bits, everyone has made suggestions for line readings and blocking, and students have gone out of their way to understand what everyone else has had to learn. From beginning to end, this show has been a true collaboration, and everything that is enjoyable about it bears the creative influence of everyone involved.”

Ticket costs for the general public will be $5-$18. Tickets for shows can be purchased online at http://www.peace.edu/events.

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About William Peace University:

William Peace University is located in the heart of Raleigh, North Carolina. It was founded in 1857 as Peace Institute, offering education for boys and girls in primary grades and to women from high school to college. Peace, an all-women’s college, became a four-year baccalaureate college and graduated its first bachelor’s students in August of 1996. Exclusively an all-women's institution for its first 152 years, Peace began offering coeducational evening courses through the William Peace School of Professional Studies in 2009. In 2011, Peace College transitioned to William Peace University and began admitting male students to its day program in fall 2012. Its mission is to prepare students for careers in the organizations of tomorrow. On average, more than 90 percent of the university’s graduates are placed in jobs or graduate school within one year of graduation. For more information, please visit http://www.peace.edu.