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NEWS
Shakespeare play combines classics with comedy
By Eric Smith, "The Gainesville Sun"
Forget what you know about
Shakespeare.
Picture the playwright's classic lines flavored with the style of Dane
Cook.
Your result: The Complete Works of William Shakespeare Abridged.
Beginning today, this 90-minute comedy combines 37 of Shakespeare's
works to be performed at the hands of three male actors.
The play, presented by the University of Florida School of Theatre and
Dance, is a parody of all Shakespeare's works, especially the tragedies,
said director Kevin Marshall.
It's more entertaining to poke fun at the tragedies than the comedies,
he said.
Since the play is based on Shakespeare's greatest hits, audiences who
are familiar with his works will enjoy it just as much as those who
aren't, Smith said.
While there's plenty of classic Shakespeare lines twisted into this
modern-day rendition, improvisation and audience participation
characterize the show.
One audience member will even have the chance to play Ophelia from
Hamlet in part of the show, though the whole audience is involved in
some aspect of the play, Marshall said.
Despite having almost 400-year-old roots, the play features plenty of
references to contemporary pop culture and political jokes, ranging from
conservative to liberal views, he said.
"We're part of an equal opportunity offender here," Marshall said,
smiling. "We don't want to leave anyone out."
Audiences can also look forward to Titus Andronicus performed as a
cooking show and Othello transformed into a Beastie Boys-style rap.
Show times are 7:30 p.m. on Thursdays, both 7:30 p.m. and midnight on
Fridays and Saturdays, with matinees at 2 p.m. on Sundays. The show runs
through Aug. 12.
Reserved tickets for the show are $9 for UF students, faculty, staff and
senior citizens with a valid ID and $13 for the general public.
The cast will put on 29 performances of the Shakespearian comedy, with
select midnight showings offering a spicier take on Shakespeare. These
versions, Marshall said, are an attempt to entice UF's younger crowd.
Regardless, each fast-paced performance represents an opportunity to
introduce students to live theater, he said.
The entire cast is comprised of six men, though the actors will be on
rotation, with only three appearing in each performance.
All actors will essentially test out their drag queen abilities by
undertaking both male and female roles, switching between men's and
women's costumes. Marshall said it's his favorite part of working on the
play.
Robert Smith, a third-year theater performance graduate student, is one
of the actors appearing in the production. He said he enjoys having the
ability to make the play his own.
The original script of the play was written more than 20 years ago by
Adam Long, Daniel Singer and Jess Winfield.
It beckons the actors to put a modern spin on Shakespeare, Smith said.
He achieves this with several of his own jokes and references, ranging
from Jerry Springer to Dr. Phil.
"It's to get modern audiences to enjoy Shakespeare, even if they hate
it," he said.
With audience interaction throughout the show, each performance is
unique. Part of the excitement is not knowing how each audience will
react, Smith said.
Rachel Wyle, stage manager for the play and a third-year theater and art
history major, said even though she sees the show nearly every day, she
still finds herself laughing.
Each performance of the show will be held in the Black Box Theatre at
the Nadine McGuire Theatre and Dance Pavilion, which holds about 120
seats. The set pieces are also quite minimal, allowing the actors to
completely captivate the audience in a more involved and intimate
atmosphere, she said.
The play itself is similar to seeing a great comedy show, Wyle said.
"It's not theatrical or dramatic," she said. "It's one of the better
things to see and do this summer."
For tickets or more information, call the University Box Office at (352)
392-1653 or visit
www.willyabridged.com.
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