The Complete Works of William Shakespeare Abridged

Written by Adam Long, Daniel Singer and Jess Winfield, The Complete Works of William Shakespeare Abridged is a hilarious, fast-paced, Monty Python-type romp through Shakespeare’s plays. Three male actors take audiences through 37 plays, which are condensed down to a 90-minute free-for-all, making mincemeat of the Bard. Improvisation, audience participation, pop culture and local references are in store, as well as the fastest, funniest, “Hamlet” you’re likely to see. (Watch for the sock puppets and be forewarned that audience participation will come into play). Among the highlights: Titus Andronicus done as a cooking show, Othello turned into a Beastie Boys-style rap, and all 16 of Shakespeare’s comedies condensed into one slapstick script because Shakespeare “used the same gag over and over and over.” Directed by Robert Nguyen, No Jacket Required’s production of The Complete Works… places the audience at the center of the fun as the cast takes a baseball bat to Shakespeare’s work, with their mix of pratfalls, puns, willful misreadings of names and dialogue, clunky female impersonations, clean-cut ribaldry and broad burlesque.