Students in the Pleasant Grove High School Drama Department are putting the finishing touches on their newest production, Shakespeare's comedy "Much Ado About Nothing." The play opens at 7 p.m. on Monday and runs nightly through Nov. 14.

Stewart Shelley, drama teacher and director, is excited to have his award-winning students present the play. In a recent competition at Cedar City's Shakespeare Festival, PGHS students placed first in the scenes division and placed first overall in Sweepstakes.

"Much Ado About Nothing" is the story of mixed-up loves and mistaken identities. Shelley explained that the roots of the "problems" (and the comedy) are eavesdropping and gossip. "It's all about overheard gossip, or people making plans so that someone can overhear," Shelley said. Will Benedik successfully woo the sharp-tongued Beatrice? Is the beautiful young Hero really unfaithful to her love, the dashing Claudio? Will the jealous Don John succeed in stirring up much ado about just about everything?

The play, which runs just over two hours with one intermission, was a challenge for the students. Auditions were held last spring so the students could study and learn their lines over the summer. Students began rehearsing the first week of school. "It's fun to watch their understanding and appreciation for Shakespeare grow," Shelley said.

Alan Walker, who plays a watchman, found Shakespeare somewhat daunting at first, but has grown to love the bard. "At first it was hard and it didn't make any sense, but once you get into it and go with the flow, it's way fun," he said.

Zack Porter, who plays the role of the henchman, Barochio, agreed with Walker. "It's difficult, but it's worth it," he said. "Everything Shakespeare wrote is so beautiful, so awesome." Porter has previous experience with Shakespeare, playing Romeo's rival, Tybalt, in "Romeo and Juliet."

After commenting that he's always playing a bad guy, Porter and Walker launched into typical Shakespearian wordplay. "You're a good bad guy," Walker said. To which Porter quickly responded, "It's better to be a good bad guy than be a bad good guy," and the two students continued a lively banter about the goods and bads of characters and of acting.

Maggie Boughton is a member of the ensemble. She's enjoyed creating her character and preparing to perform "Much Ado About Nothing." Boughton spoke for many of the actors as she shared her appreciation and admiration of Shakespeare. "Shakespeare is not only well written, it's so complex. It's beautiful, it's poetry, it's funny," she said. And performing in this play, she said, "is delightful. It's very satisfying."

The setting of the play is 16th century Messina, Italy. "We went purely traditional," Shelley said. The costuming and sets are of the rich renaissance style. This is a great opportunity for the community to experience an outstanding production, she said.

" 'Much Ado About Nothing' is a delightful romantic comedy," Shelley said. "Come see our award-winning Shakespearian kids perform a great piece of dramatic literature."