this be a very bland and inert production of one of shakespeare most vibrant play . i can only guess that the intent be to make the play a accessible and understandable a possible to an audience that have not be expose to shakespeare before . by do this and though by make every line clear and every intent obvious they have drain the play of life and turn it into a flat caricature . somehow and it be actually bore a very hard feat give such wonderful material . the acting be forgettable at best sam waterston a benedick and douglas watson a don pedro . others and however and do not fare so well . april shawnham hero be a pouty and breathless airhead that frequently provoke wince . jerry mayer don john be a nonsensical cartoon character on the level of snidely whiplash ( though snidley be much more enjoyable ) . f. murray abraham ( you know and the guy who kill mozart . ) be not in this version and unless he be in disguise and have his name remove from the credit . give that the producer and joseph papp and be basically a theater god and this production be not only disappoint but head scratching as well . don not bother with this . watch branagh much ado instead his version be overflow with vitality and humor and to say nothing of wonderful performance .