So, how was it then?

Drumroll, please.............................

Benedick was charming, Beatrice was wonderful, and my favorite line was delivered with plenty of subtext! In other words, I was pleased with the performance!
My only critiques were choices made by certain actors at particular moments, but overall they broke some legs out there chaps and all!
P.S. Wait I take that back, I was also bummed that the jester looked like a cowboy and said “Yeee Haw”-that is, until he juggled fire-fire has a way of warming even the most critical hearts.

"They broke some legs out there chaps and all." Nice. I am very glad you enjoyed it. I am forward to it more now. Still, debating whether I want to read it beforehand, but that is not likely to happen in any case.

I come from the "plays are meant to be seen not read" tradition, but honestly, I can't think of a time that I HAVEN'T read a Shakespeare play before seeing it. What can I say? I get more out of Shakespeare when I read it first; it gives me a grasp of the word play, and the pleasure of imagining the characters unsullied by other interpretations. I’m sure to some it’s a theatre faux pas but it’s my preference.

OK, I rereading my previous comment, I realize I sound a bit like the young Ukrainian character from the movie Everything's Illuminated, "I am forward to it now."

I totally agree with the reading of Shakespeare aiding in comprehension and enjoyment. In any case, most people have likely read Shakespeare before they see it i.e. in English class. And then seeing a play can definitely help in even greater comprehension and most importantly in enjoyment of the thing as it was meant to be enjoyed.

Woe, you've never been to a Shakespeare play where you haven't read the script prior? Impressed I am. Glad to hear the plays worthy--Western theme and all.

Remember, I took a Shakespeare with Professor Saupe (that was 12 plays worth of study) AND I took a bazillion theatre courses; I hardly had a choice-although I loved it! I have read the entire anthology that I bought for Prof. Saupe’s class over the course of two years. Jacob’s read a ton of them too he even memorized the “Shall I compare thee” sonnet. Swoon.

Except that sonnet is probably written for the young man and not the dark lady ;)

My favorite is 116. Let's see how well I can remember it or not...

Let me not to the marriage of true minds
Admit impediment. Love is not love
Which alters when it alteration finds
Or bends with the remover to remove.

Oh, no it is an ever fixed mark
That looks on storms and is never shaken
That is the star to ever wandering bark
Who's worth's unknown, although its height be taken.

Love is not time's fool, though rosy lips and cheeks
Within its bending sickles compass come.
something.....something
something....onto the edge of doom.

If this be false and upon me proved
something....and no man ever loved.

O.K., so I can't remember it very well except for the first bits, which are the bits that are the hardest but most important to live out, in any case. :)

Not bad!

Here is the one I memorized 3-4 years ago. I don't know it anymore though and I've forgotten why I chose it out of all the other options!

Sonnet XXXIV
Why didst thou promise such a beauteous day
And make me travel forth without my cloak,
To let base clouds o’ertake me in my way,
Hiding thy bravery in their rotten smoke?
’Tis not enough that through the cloud thou break,
To dry the rain on my storm-beaten face,
For no man well of such a salve can speak
That heals the wound and cures not the disgrace:
Nor can thy shame give physic to my grief;
Though thou repent, yet I have still the loss:
The offender’s sorrow lends but weak relief
To him that bears the strong offence’s cross.
Ah! but those tears are pearl which thy love sheds,
And they are rich and ransom all ill deeds.

I love that Larrr!
:)