Dogberry and Verges are Scared by Michael Doherty and Will Mobley

Dogberry & Verges Are Scared follows the two clowns from Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing as they try (and fail) to foil Don John’s plot to spoil Hero’s wedding. It’s a story about friendship and forgiveness that will break your heart one minute and have you laughing so hard you puke the next. It’s a love letter to comedy (from vaudeville to sketch), a treasure trove of easter eggs for theatre nerds, and the perfect gateway drug for people who hate Shakespeare.

Dogberry and Verges Are Scared debuted at the 2025 Philadelphia Fringe Festival to boisterous houses and rave reviews.

  • One of the highest-grossing shows of the festival, boasting a 33% increase in ticket sales from its first to second weekend due to word of mouth

  • Named one of the “Eight Best Shows” of the Fringe by the Philadelphia Inquirer 

  • The Broad Street Review called it "one of the 2025 Fringe Festival’s must-see productions” and “blessedly short”

  • Philadelphia Inquirer called the performances of the two leads "nothing short of wonderful."

  • Beyond My Backyard said, "You won't enjoy anything more than Dogberry and Verges Are Scared."

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