Austin Shakespeare presents Much Ado About Nothing

Austin Shakespeare presents Much Ado About Nothing

May 7 – May 24, 2026
Thursdays – Sundays
8 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.

In Messina, everyone is an expert on love and a complete disaster at it. Austin Shakespeare brings William Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing to Zilker Hillside Theatre for a free run May 7–24, 2026, with performances Thursdays through Sundays at 8 p.m. Admission is free, although donations will be accepted.

This production reimagines Shakespeare's beloved comedy in 1950s Italy, drawing inspiration from the cinematic world of Federico Fellini — a world of sun-drenched piazzas, effortless style, and the gorgeous, aching gap between how we present ourselves and who we actually are. Lively music and song are woven throughout, evoking the irresistible soundtrack of Italian life and giving the production a warmth and rhythm that feels as natural under the open sky as the scheming and sparring at its heart. In this Messina, appearances are everything, gossip is currency, and falling in love is the one thing no self-respecting person will admit to wanting.

Austin Shakespeare is a participant in the Austin Arts, Culture, Music and Entertainment (ACME) Artist Access Program at the Zilker Hillside Theater.

The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. For assistance please contact (512) 974-3256 or Relay Texas 7-1-1.