Collin McDowell does a bit of sprucing up as Benedick once he learns that he might be the object of someone’s affection. Photo by Thomas Graves

Signior Leonato, right, has discovered distressing news about his daughter Hero, on the ground at left. The wedding did not end up going as planned. Photo by Thomas Graves

LALT News:

Los Alamos Little Theater (LALT) and the local thespian group, Band-O-Lears presents “Much Ado About Nothing” 7 p.m. July 24, 25, 31 and Aug. 1, 7 and 8 on the lawn outside the Hans Bethe House on Bathtub Row.

A special “Brunch Ado” matinee will take place at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 1. Refreshments will be on hand. All shows are weather-dependent.

The public is invited to see this enduring and delightful comedy about love, honor, beards, and all the other things The Bard liked to make fun of. “Much Ado About Nothing” first appeared in print in 1600 and today is performed somewhere around the world in every season of the year. It’s a tale of people who are proud and vain, naive and headstrong, in and out of love, out for revenge or in trouble with Dad.

Beatrice and Benedick butt heads over who can refuse to fall in love for longer. (They really should just go ahead and get a room.) Claudio and Hero find love at first sight, while Margaret just wants to flirt and have fun. The Prince wants to play matchmaker but his brother has other plans, and tempers flare in explosive confrontations across the board. What’s not to like?

All parties involved in the production are volunteering their hard-earned time. LALT and Band-O-Lears thank the Los Alamos Historical Society for making the Hans Bethe House available.

Admission is “Pay what you will” and donations are welcomed.

Go to lalt.org for more information and to make a donation.