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2928 West 13th St. Ashtabula, Ohio 44004
phone: 440-964-3396 |
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"The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)":
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Posted: Monday, September 29, 2003
 �Othello� performed as a hip-hop rap. Richard III as a football player. Titus Andronicus leading a cooking lesson. Hamlet talking to a sock puppet.
And that�s only four of the 75 characters acted out in the new comedy �The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged),� running September 27, 28, October 1, 4, 5, 8, 11, and 12, with all shows beginning at 7:30 p.m.
William Shakespeare would most likely turn in his grave if he caught even a glimpse of this hilarious show, which takes all 37 of the author�s best known works and condenses them into a show just under two hours in length.
In order to perform this task, creators Jess Borgeson, Adam Long, and Daniel Singer had to take some liberties in rearranging the characters and situations of the original works.
All of the histories are converted into a comedic football game. Whole sonnets are reduced to a few lines. In order to have more time to poke fun at the tragedies (because everyone knows those are more fun to poke fun at anyway), all 17 comedies are condensed into one scene.
 The entire second act is made up of different versions of �Hamlet� - including the fast version, the really fast version, and the really, really fast version ... which is then turned backwards.
�Needless to say, purists might not appreciate �Shakespeare Abridged� too much, but I think they�ll find plenty to laugh at in this show,� says director Darrell Lowe.
The cast for the show consists of only three actors: Adam Kapis of Ashtabula; Douglas Eric Anderson, also of Ashtabula; and Anneli Curnock of Madison. But be warned, as there is plenty of audience participation expected within the show as well.
According to Lowe, even though the play is one giant parody, the characters and plot lines of Shakespeare�s original works are obvious beneath the comedy.
�No one will be scratching their heads trying to figure out what some of the passages recited mean. It should be pretty evident by the antics of the three cast members,� says Lowe.
Lowe also believes that even audience members who have never read a word of Shakespeare in their lives will find humor in this show.
�You don�t have to appreciate Shakespeare and his writings to enjoy this production. Through improvs, audience participation, and some wacky costumes, the audience is introduced to his works,� he says.
�The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)� kicks off the 2003-2004 season of theater at the indoor G.B. Community Theatre at the Ashtabula Arts Center with performances September 27, 28, October 1, 4, 5, 8, 11 and 12. Tickets are $11 patron, $9 general admission, $8 seniors, $7 students, and $6 children 12 and under.
As a special promotion, all student tickets for the Wednesday night shows (October 1 & 8 only) will be discounted to $3.50 each.
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Posted: Monday, September 29, 2003
The Ashtabula Arts Center will be holding dinners prior to two Saturday performances of the comedy �The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged).�
On October 4 and 11, there will be a �Shakespearean Feast.� Get yourself in the Shakespearean mood by feasting on such specialties as Greens from the Shrew�s Garden, Richard III�s Homemade Loaves, Hamlet�s Hen on a Stick, Andronicus� Roast Pig, MacDuff�s Stew, Capulet�s Corn Cobs, Juliet�s Potions and Ophelia�s Tarts.
Dinner will be served at 6:00 p.m. in the gallery of the Arts Center. The show will begin in the theater at 7:30 p.m. The cost of the dinner and theater ticket is $21 for adults and $18 for students. Reservations are required in advance, and should be made no later than October 9.
Reservations can be made by calling the Arts Center at (440) 964-3396.
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