May 9-19, 2024

What Happened While Hero Was Dead

by Meghan Brown

Imagine everyone believes you are dead. Think of what you could do!

Meghan Brown has created a sassy update of Much Ado About Nothing, and gives Hero, infamously passive in the original Shakespeare, both agency and a lively personality.

In this rollicking and ribald retelling, the situation is unchanged: everyone believes Hero is dead. Her maid Margaret wants her to hide, Beatrice wants her to take revenge, and Benedick just wants her. So Hero takes it upon herself to figure out her place in sixteenth century society, starting with an education in the arts of love.

Our partner in this production is Bumblebee Aerial Fitness, and their performers will interpret some of the action that takes place during the play, choreographed by Sabrina Harding.

Note: This play has adult language and sexual situations and is not appropriate for younger audiences.

Praise for What Happened While Hero Was Dead

“This play is absolutely hilarious and uses such sharp and biting satire to shine a light on the social structures that negatively impact women.”

“Great farce is challenging to write. Great farce that riffs on Shakespeare triply so. Meghan Brown has created a unicorn.”

“I love the sexual awakening of Hero and her feminist awakening fighting against the period, culture, and norms of the period.”

The Cast

  • April Kortz

    HERO

  • Haley McKnight

    BEATRICE

  • Ryan Eggensperger

    BENEDICK

  • Emma Covarrubias

    MARGARET

  • Daniel Rosenberg

    SHAKESPEARE’S GUYS

  • Elise Landless

    CHORUS / AERIALIST

  • Rosemary Howell

    CHORUS / AERIALIST

  • Molly McKinney

    CHORUS / AERIALIST

Stage direction by Ross Peter Nelson
Choreography by Sabrina Harding

What Happened While Hero Was Dead is presented by arrangement with the playwright, Meghan Brown.

Our season sponsor for 2024 is the Helena ENT Clinic, Dr. Scott Pargot, owner.