NEWS
Shakespeare gets makeover
By Stephanie Granada, "The Independent Florida Alligator"

Gainesville summers are full of opportunities: less traffic, outdoor adventures and endlessly uneventful nights, to name a few.

This summer, the UF School of Theatre and Dance is trying to drag the local public out of the usual drink-and-movie rut.

Beginning Thursday and running through Aug. 12, six of UF's master of fine arts program actors will sweep the Black Box Theatre's stage.

The cast will perform an over-the-top consolidation of William Shakespeare's 37 plays in a production entitled The Complete Works of Shakespeare Abridged.

Sarah Modell, production manager for UF's School of Theatre and Dance, said three of the six cast members will be featured nightly, performing all the roles in Shakespeare's plays in about 90 minutes.

The fast-paced production will be packed with witty dialogue, awkward female impersonations and willful mix-ups.

The School of Theatre and Dance prepared the improvisation-influenced script to allow for extra input: Members of the audience will have the opportunity to take an active role in the fun, as the cast calls for audience participation.

"You don't have to be into theater for it to appeal to you," Modell said. "It's a lot of fun, so have a good time."

Dialogue throughout the performance will use pop culture and local references, which makes Shakespeare contemporary.

Segments of the show will feature the actors engaging in Beastie Boys-style raps to interpret Othello, as well as a cooking show version of Titus Andronicus.

The unique nature of the play is increased by its midnight showings, which will run Friday and Saturday nights.

"We thought it would be something fun for the college students that are still in town," Modell said.

This is the first time this type of show has been produced at UF, Modell said. The comedic antics in the script and unconventional nature of the production, make for a show that different audiences can enjoy.

Tickets cost $9 for students and $13 for the general public.

For schedule information, visit www.willyabridged.com.

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IF YOU GO: The Complete Works of William Shakespeare Abridged
WHAT: All 37 of Shakespeare's plays bastardized in an hour and a half
WHEN: Opens Friday, June 1 thru Sunday, August 12.  Performances: 7:30 p.m. Thursdy-Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays
WHERE: Black Box Theatre in the Nadine McGuire Pavilion, University of Florida campus
TICKETS: Tickets are available through the University Box Office. For more information, call 352/392-1653 or visit www.willyabridged.com.

Pictured above: Ted in a promo shot, with fellow cast members Daniel Flores and Michael T. Toth.