Youngstown Shakespeare Company to Present ‘Much Ado About Nothing’ at Wean Park

YOUNGSTOWN – The newly renamed Youngstown Shakespeare Company will return to action this week in a new location and with a cast that features a professional actor.

The company – formerly known as Mahoning Valley Players – will present Shakespeare’s “Much Ado About Nothing” at 6:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, July 19-20, and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, July 21, at Wean Park, downtown.

Performances will take place in a section of the eastern side of the park, near Covelli Centre. Admission is free.

The theater company, which was on hiatus last summer, performs on the grass in the midst of its audience, and not on a stage. Its past performances took place at Morley Pavilion in Mill Creek Park.

Kim Akins, executive director of Youngstown Shakespeare Company, said the move to Wean Park is tied to the rebranding of the company, and also speaks to its future goals.

“This year, we’re underwritten by Councilwoman Anita Davis,” Akins said. “We’re hoping to become a permanent part of the City of Youngstown’s entertainment budget.”

Chicago-based actor William Goff will play the role of Benedick in “Much Ado About Nothing.”

Akins said he is bringing a new level of professionalism to the production.

“I’m confident that he will help everyone raise their game,” she said. “He’s only here for two days before the show goes up, so he has an even bigger burden as an actor than usual. He’s done it before, though, stepping in to a production of ‘Hamlet’ with a day’s notice.”

Goff has been performing in Shakespearean productions since he was 12. His more notable experiences include the role of Laertes in “Hamlet” with the Shakespeare Blood Oath Theater Company in Chicago; and Orlando in “As You Like It” at the Cleveland Shakespeare Festival.

He is a member of Blood Oath Shakespeare Company and will appear in its upcoming production of “Twelfth Night.”

In Chicago, he has been part of the ensemble of AlphaBetProductions and toured with the National Theatre for Children. He has also appeared in films, including “Granny Shot” (2018).

A Chicago native, Goff later moved to northeastern Ohio, where he studied theater at Baldwin-Wallace College. He has since returned to the Windy City.

Youngstown Shakespeare Company’s production of “Much Ado” is being directed by Vijay Welch-Young. Robert Dennick Joki designed and created the costumes.

“I’m particularly proud of the diversity of the cast and Vijay’s vision of casting the best actors available,” Akins said. “I’ve been watching rehearsals, and the show is tight and funny.”

In addition to Goff, the cast also includes Jenna Cintavey, Leslie Whetstine Mausteller, Calvin Brown, Tricia Terlesky, Monica Beasley-Martin, Rob Whiting, Terry Shears, Eric Kibler, Maeve Law, Kat Roman, Richard Smiley, Matilda Mausteller and Welch-Young.

Formed in 2011, Youngstown Shakespeare Company has staged “The Tempest”, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)” and “All’s Well That Ends Well,” and several others.

Its production of “Much Ado About Nothing” is its first in two years. The company was inactive last year because Akins was living in Columbus at the time and could not coordinate a show from such a distance.

“I’m happy to be back and thrilled to be fulfilling what I’ve learned is my passion,” she said.

Her company’s most recent production was Shakespeare’s “The Tempest” in 2022 at Morley Pavilion.

Pictured at top: William Goff will play the role of Benedick in Youngstown Shakespeare Company’s production of “Much Ado About Nothing.”

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