Oh Shakespeare… with so many timeless stories so deeply etched into our culture, it’s no wonder that his work has become a sandbox for innovation and experimentation. Avant Guardian’s new production, Much Ado take Shakespeare’s comedy Much Ado About Nothing, and transmutes it into an interactive performance and art exhibition, unlike anything you’ve ever seen. You’d be hard pressed to find anything as non-traditional as this in Tampa Bay.

Much Ado – Immersive Performance and Exhibition tells the classic love story of Claudio and Hero through dance, theatre, cinema, visual art, and live music, all in a setting that places the audience in the middle of the action. Attendees with be guests at the wedding of Claudio and Hero, and will be given an intimate look at their memories to experience their relationship through interactive dance, a live band, art by local artists created for the event, and immersive video projections providing a backdrop to the experience, along with food and drinks. The result is a uniquely interactive experience that casts a critical eye on love and relationships, exploring the balance between fantasy and cynicism.

Much Ado – Immersive Performance and Exhibition will run two nights, February 13th and 14th, beginning at 8pm with a cocktail hour starting at 7pm. An after party celebrating marriage equality in Florida will follow the show on the 14th. The event will take place at the newly renovated historic Rialto Theatre in Tampa Heights. Tickets are $25. Live music will be performed by Coco and Homo and Una Voce: The Florida Men’s Chorale. Food and drink provided by Thai One On Food Truck and The Amsterdam.

Participating artists include: Kaileen Schleith, Chad Mize, Scott Sherman, Madison Zalopany, Gordon Bonnett, Joseph Burnsed, John Suarez, Boo Ehrsam, Samantha Mancino, Josh Fuller, Zulu Painter, Aaron Aitchison, Carrie Jadus, Mitchell James Goodrich, Thomas Ris, Rion Sabean, Laura Spencer, John Taormina, and 5/85 Creative.

For more information on Much Ado, check out avant-guarian.org.
The Rialto Theatre is located at 1617 N Franklin Street in Tampa Heights.