Readers Theater Production: Much Ado About Nothing

Readers Theater Production:  Much Ado About Nothing
Actors who are blind to perform play by Shakespeare

Louisville, KY - The Museum of the American Printing House for the Blind (APH), located at 1839 Frankfort Avenue, will offer two free performances of Much Ado About Nothing, Friday, March 1 at 7:00 pm and Saturday March 2 at 1:00 pm.

In readers theater there are no costumes or sets.  The actors do not memorize lines, but sit together on stage and read from the script—using vocal expression to help the audience understand the story.  In this instance, most of the readers are blind and read from scripts embossed in braille. 

Much Ado About Nothing is perhaps Shakespeare’s most enduring romantic comedy—and surely the funniest.  The plot follows two pairs of lovers: Benedick and Beatrice, who love each other but don’t want to admit it, and Claudio and Hero, who love each other but are tricked into an acrimonious parting. Add a nefarious villain, Don Juan, and a comic constable, Dogberry, to the mix, and complications abound. In wars of words, brimming with puns and witticisms, the mismatched lovers eventually sort themselves out, the villains are foiled, and everyone dances at the two weddings

The event is free, but space is limited, so reservations must be made by February 27. Call 899-2213 or send email to kcarpenter@aph.org to make a reservation. The program is best for adults and children 12 and up.

This year’s production follows last spring’s successful presentation by the APH Readers Theater performance of the Miracle Worker.  That play was so well received that it was decided to offer a new play this year.

Cast members are from Jefferson and other Kentucky Counties. Many of the performers from the Miracle Worker are involved again this year.  Most use braille on a regular basis in their personal and/or professional lives.

About the Museum of the American Printing House for the Blind:
The Museum, where visitors experience hands-on history, is open Monday through Saturday. It is located on the second floor of the American Printing House for the Blind, 1839 Frankfort Avenue, Louisville, Kentucky. Admission is free. Regular hours are 8:30am to 4:30pm, Monday-Friday and 10:00am to 3:00pm on Saturday. Visitors can write in braille, see the first book embossed for blind readers, see a piano used by Stevie Wonder when he was a student at Michigan School for the Blind, play a computer game designed for blind students, and much more. More information at www.aph.org/museum or call (502) 895-2405, ext. 365, weekdays.

About the American Printing House for the Blind:
The American Printing House for the Blind, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, is the world's largest company devoted solely to researching, developing, and manufacturing products for people who are blind or visually impaired. Founded in 1858, it is the oldest organization of its kind in the United States. Under the 1879 federal Act to Promote the Education of the Blind, APH is the official supplier of educational materials for visually impaired students in the U.S. who are working at less than college level.

APH manufactures textbooks and magazines in braille, large print, recorded, and digital formats. APH also manufactures hundreds of educational, recreational, and daily living products. APH's fully-accessible web site (www.aph.org) features information about APH products and services, online ordering of products, and free information on a wide variety of blindness-related topics.

The American Printing House for the Blind, Inc. is located at 1839 Frankfort Avenue in Louisville, Kentucky. For more information, call (502) 895-2405 or log on to www.aph.org.