We’re now more than two weeks into rehearsals for Much Ado About Nothing and The Two Gentlemen of Verona, and it’s been a joy to watch these characters leap off the page and onto the stage. In today’s Bard Blog, we’re delighted to introduce you to some of the incredible artists in our 2025 Mainstage Company who will be bringing these stories to life!

In Much Ado About Nothing, Jennifer Lines (Beatrice) and Sheldon Elter (Benedick) take on one of Shakespeare’s most tumultuous and beloved couples in a “skirmish of wit” full of romance and heart. 

David Marr will return to the Bard stage as Leonato, the Governor of Messina, whose lush and rolling estate serves as the backdrop for the play’s misadventures. Matthew Ip Shaw will play Don Pedro, an old friend of Leonato’s who arrives in Messina to celebrate a recent victory in the nearby wars. He is accompanied by Benedick, the young nobleman Claudio (Angus Yam), his disgraced half-brother Don John (Karthik Kadam), and Don John’s cronies Conrad (Kristi Hansen) and Borachio (Tanner Zerr). 

When the soldiers arrive at Leonato’s estate, they are greeted by Leonato and Beatrice, with Jennifer Tong making her Bard debut as Leonato’s daughter, Hero. While there is no love lost between Beatrice and Benedick, Claudio immediately falls in love with Hero.  Leonato decides to throw a masquerade party that evening to celebrate the arrival of his friends, inadvertently setting the stage for a series of events where secrets, mischief, and mistaken identity abound. 

Joining them in the world of Messina are Scott Bellis (Dogberry/Messenger/Monk), Jennifer Clement (Ursula), Steffanie Davis (Attendant/Member of the Watch/Nun), Paige Fraser (Verges/Nun), Sebastian Kroon (Attendant/Member of the Watch/Monk), Jacob Leonard (Attendant/Member of the Watch), and Agnes Tong (Margaret/Seacole). 

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Elsewhere in Italy, in the ‘80s world of The Two Gentlemen of Verona, Matthew Ip Shaw returns for his third Season at Bard as Valentine, while Jacob Leonard makes his debut under the tents as Proteus. 

The two friends go their separate ways, as Valentine is sent away to serve in the court of the Duke of Milan (Sheldon Elter), while Proteus decides to stay in Verona to be with his love, Julia (Tess Degenstein). However, Proteus’ parents, Antonio (Craig Erickson) and Pantina (Kristi Hansen), decide to send Proteus to Milan as well, and he leaves Verona (and Julia) accompanied by his servant, Launce (Scott Bellis). We are also delighted to share that Launce’s dog Crab will be played by none other than Christopher and Jennifer Gaze’s beloved dog Mason! 

Meanwhile, in Milan, Valentine has fallen in love with the Duke of Milan’s daughter Silvia, who will be played by Agnes Tong in her Bard debut. However, when Proteus arrives, he is not only reunited with Valentine—he also falls in love with Silvia, in a love triangle that proves what happens in Milan doesn’t always stay in Milan.

Rounding out the cast of The Two Gentlemen of Verona are Jennifer Clement (Ursula/Outlaw/Courtier), Steffanie Davis (Lucetta/Outlaw/Courtier), Paige Fraser (Outlaw/Courtier), Karthik Kadam (Eglamour), Jennifer Tong (Outlaw/Courtier), Angus Yam (Speed), and Tanner Zerr (Turio), with Synthia Yusuf understudying the role of Julia.

We’re thrilled to have so many incredible artists joining us on our Mainstage this Season—and we can’t wait for you to meet them as well.  

Tickets for Bard’s 2025 Season are on sale now, running June 10 to September 20, 2025 at Sen̓áḵw/Vanier Park. Get your tickets now by visiting our Season Schedule! 

To be the first to hear about casting announcements and other news on our 2025 Season, be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram at @bardonthebeach or subscribe to our Bard E-News.