Fredonia’s Mainstage Series to Present Hilarious Take on “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged)”
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A comedic distillation of the Bard’s entire canon is set to grace the stage in December, promising an evening of laughter for both Shakespeare aficionados and those less familiar with his work. The Fredonia Department of Theatre and Dance will present five performances of “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged)” from December 4th to 7th at the Alice E. Bartlett Theatre on the Fredonia campus.
A Comedic Cultural Touchstone
The production aims to deliver “pure comedic entertainment,” according to the director, Paul W. Mockovak, a SUNY Distinguished Teaching Professor. The play, originally penned by Adam Long, Daniel Singer, and Jess Winfield, debuted in 1987 and quickly became a global sensation, holding the title of London’s longest-running comedy for a decade at the Criterion Theatre. It has since been translated into dozens of languages and remains one of the world’s most frequently produced plays.
Fast-Paced Fun with All 37 Plays
This ambitious undertaking tackles all 37 of Shakespeare’s plays in a single, fast-paced performance. The production promises a “witty and physical approach” that will resonate with “Shakespeare lovers and haters alike.” Mockovak explained that the production team has compiled “the best of them all” from various updates to the original script over the past 20 years.
“The authors use Shakespeare as their subject so there are many familiar references but done with a twist or comedic angle,” Mockovak stated. “Our job is simply to bring it from the two-dimensional world of the script to the three-dimensional world of the Bartlett Theatre.”
Expanded Cast and Collaborative Effort
While the original play was conceived for three actors, the Mainstage version expands the cast to six, providing more opportunities for Fredonia’s talented students. Mockovak also highlighted the presence of six understudies, equally prepared to deliver the demanding performance.
The production is a significant collaborative effort, involving approximately 60 students across various roles – from design and stage management to building and running crews – alongside faculty designers and supervisors. The director also acknowledged the crucial contributions of the front-of-house management and ticket office.
A Visual Spectacle and Audience Engagement
Audiences can anticipate a visually engaging experience, thanks to the “fantastic costumes” designed by assistant professor Jessica Lustig. The production also incorporates an element of audience participation, described as a “large group component” intended to enhance the entertainment value.
Appealing to All
Mockovak believes the play has broad appeal, anticipating that Shakespeare enthusiasts will appreciate the clever nods to familiar scripts and lines, while those less acquainted with the Bard will find humor in the play’s unique approach.
“My hope is that the audience takeaway is one of being entertained and that they had a good time,” Mockovak concluded.
Performance Schedule:
- Thursday, December 4th: 7:30 p.m.
- Friday, December 5th: 7:30 p.m.
- Saturday, December 6th: 7:30 p.m. & 2:00 p.m. (matinee)
- Sunday, December 7th: 2:00 p.m. (matinee)
Tickets are available online 24/7, or by phone at (716) 673-3501 on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, and in person at the Fredonia Ticket Office in the Williams Center during the same hours.
