New Jersey Stage logo
New Jersey Stage Menu



 

Gateway Playhouse presents "Much Ado About Nothing"

originally published: 04/05/2024


(SOMERS POINT, NJ) -- Gateway Playhouse in Somers Point will open its 2024 mainstage season with William Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing. The beloved comedy will run for one weekend only, April 19-21, 2024 with performances on Friday and Saturday at 7:00pm and a 2:00pm matinee on Sunday. The comedy revolves around two couples in love: Claudio and Hero—whose ultimate coupling is almost ruined due to baseless accusations by Don John, the play's villain; and Benedick and Beatrice, whose witty banter provides much of the show's humor.

This is the third time that Director Ryan Daly has tried to stage this production. The first time it was halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic and, on the second attempt, an actor left right before opening night and there was not enough time to recast.

Now with a cast of 25 actors, Daly is thrilled to have this show finally come to fruition at the Gateway.

“This is a huge cast, yet everyone is helping each other—there are no egos in this show. That’s what I like about this cast. It’s the best cast I’ve ever worked with,” said Daly, who actually teaches Shakespeare at Atlantic City High School. “I appreciate everybody trusting me with this. It’s been really fun to work on.”

Daly chose to put a modern spin on this Shakespearean comedy. Instead of setting it in Messina, Italy, as The Bard intended, Daly is setting his production in “Messina, Florida,” during the 1950s.




Please support the advertisers at New Jersey Stage!
Want info on how to advertise? Click here



“With Shakespeare, you can set it in any time period. I’ve seen Twelfth Night set during WWII and Taming of the Shrew set in the Old West,” Daly said. “I love the 1950s, and then I thought of setting this somewhere tropical. I just thought it was a neat setting.”

According to Daly, Much Ado is Shakespeare’s best comedy, but he knows that some people shy away from Shakespeare’s works.

“I’m not asking people to like Shakespeare–they don’t have to like it. But I want them to appreciate him,” he said. This (story) is still relevant, it’s still important. The fact that we’re still doing it says so.

“I see audiences getting something good out of this show, and I think they will have a lot of fun.”

Tickets are $25 each and can be purchased at GatewayByTheBay.org or by calling the box office at 609-653-0553. Gateway Playhouse is located at 738 Bay Avenue in Somers Point, NJ.

Much Ado About Nothing opens the Gateway’s 2024 mainstage season followed by Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat May 31 to June 2 and June 7-9; Crying on the Camino July 13 and 14; and Little Shop of Horrors September 27-29 and October 4-6. Additional spring, summer and winter shows can be found on GatewayByTheBay.org now with other performances being announced soon, including a surprise holiday production.

Since its reopening in 2017, Gateway Playhouse, a 501-(c)3 nonprofit, has provided quality and affordable year-round entertainment to residents and visitors alike, as well as offered educational opportunities to grammar and high school students, in the hopes of creating future generations of actors, directors and audiences. Aside from an annual mainstage season, the Gateway also produces a variety of comedy and cabaret shows throughout the year. As the saying goes, “see you at the Gateway!”




Please support the advertisers at New Jersey Stage!
Want info on how to advertise? Click here




 

EVENT PREVIEWS

Original

Original 'RENT' Cast Member and Obie Award-winner Anthony Rapp to Teach Master Class at Gateway Playhouse

(SOMERS POINT, NJ) -- Somers Point's Gateway Playhouse is thrilled to announce that original Broadway cast member of the international hit, Jonathan Larson's "RENT," and Obie Award-winner, Anthony Rapp, will teach a master class to the all-teenage cast of "RENT: School Edition" on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, as part of the Gateway to the Arts program. The class runs from 9:00am to noon.



Music

Music Mountain Theatre presents the monster-hit musical "Young Frankenstein"

(LAMBERTVILLE, NJ) -- From the creators of Broadway's record-breaking musical comedy sensation The Producers comes Young Frankenstein, the monster-hit musical based on the classic film comedy by Mel Brooks. Music Mountain Theatre presents the musical in a limited engagement of 11 weekend performances from June 20 through July 6, 2025.



Surflight

Surflight Theatre presents "9 to 5, The Musical"

(BEACH HAVEN, NJ) -- Surflight Theatre is beyond thrilled to be staging the forever timeless 9 to 5, The Musical from June 18 to July 6, 2025. Based on the book by Patricia Resnick and the 1980 film by Colin Higgins, Kelli Barclay directs and choreographs this staged adaptation following three iconic older women who decide to stick it to their boss once pushed to their breaking points.



Raconteur

Raconteur Radio presents Theatrical Adaptation of "The Hobbit" at Ocean County Library Barnegat Branch

(BARNEGAT,NJ) -- Feel like taking a journey through Middle Earth? Raconteur Radio presents a special theatrical presentation of J.R.R. Tolkien's The Hobbit on Tuesday, July 8, 2025 at the Barnegat Branch of the Ocean County Library. The event begins at 7:00pm.



Cape

Cape May Stage presents "Love, Loss, & What I Wore"

(CAPE MAY, NJ) -- Cape May Stage presents Love, Loss, & What I Wore from July 5-11, 2025. Based on Ilene Beckerman's bestselling book, this tender and witty play weaves together monologues and ensemble pieces to explore the deep connections between clothing and memory, touching on themes like mothers, prom dresses, bras, purses, and the timeless appeal of black clothing. Showtime is 8:00pm each night.



FEATURED EVENTS

ART | COMEDY | DANCE | FILM | MUSIC | THEATRE | COMMUNITY

To narrow results by date range, categories,
or region of New Jersey
click here for our advanced search.


Vivid

Vivid Summer Solos: Where is Everybody?

Wednesday, July 09, 2025 @ 6:30pm
Visual Arts Center of New Jersey
68 Elm Street, Summit, NJ 07901
category: theatre


 

A

A Broadway Tour of America

Thursday, July 10, 2025 @ 7:30pm
Grunin Center - Black Box Theater
1 College Drive, Toms River, NJ 08754
category: theatre


 

The

The MAC players at the Middletown Arts Center present "Hairspray"

Friday, July 11, 2025 @ 7:00pm
Middletown Arts Center
36 Church Street, Middletown, NJ 07748
category: theatre


 

A

A Broadway Tour of America

Friday, July 11, 2025 @ 7:30pm
Grunin Center - Black Box Theater
1 College Drive, Toms River, NJ 08754
category: theatre


 

The

The Wizard of Oz

Saturday, July 12, 2025 @ 2:00pm
Algonquin Arts Theatre
60 Abe Voorhees, Manasquan, NJ 08736
category: theatre