You might think you don’t like Shakespeare, but that might be because you haven’t seen Greensburg Civic Theatre’s version of “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) [Revised].”
“People see the name ‘Shakespeare’ and think it’s going to be dull and boring, but this show encapsulates the beauty of the writing and makes it accessible to everyone,” said cast member Ben Wren of Jeannette.
Wren will be joined by actors Stephen Toth of Penn Hills and Josh Kinneer of Donegal in donning numerous costumes and wielding various props in the whirlwind, 97-minute production running Friday through Sunday at Greensburg Garden and Civic Center.
“Act 1 is the comedies, histories and some of the tragedies; Act 2 is ‘Hamlet’ and some of the sonnets,” said director Vince D’Angelo of Oakmont.
“At the beginning, one actor says, ‘We’re here to show you we can do this,’ ” D’Angelo said. “There’s no fourth wall. From the very beginning, they talk to the audience. It’s kind of crazy.”
“I’ve always been a fan of Shakespeare and I saw this show in middle or high school up in Oil City,” Wren said. “I’ve always wanted to do it. Even if your only exposure to Shakespeare is what you read in high school, it takes the material you know and puts an absurd spin on it.”
“The Complete Works” was written by actors Adam Long, Daniel Singer and Jess Winfield, founding members of the Reduced Shakespeare Company, and first performed at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 1987.
To celebrate its 20th anniversary, Singer and Winfield updated the show for 21st-century audiences, incorporating some of the funniest material from amateur and professional productions that have been performed around the world.
‘They just clicked’
GCT had intended to produce Tennessee Williams’ “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” this spring, postponed from spring 2020, but D’Angelo suggested the change because of the small cast and crew “The Complete Works” requires.
“I always think casting is 75% of directing,” D’Angelo said. “These three just clicked and they really got it. They’re all good actors to begin with and they’re fearless.”
Marcus Greenberg of Unity is stage manager.
Curtain times are 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday at Greensburg Garden & Civic Center, 951 Old Salem Road.
The in-person, socially distanced audience will be limited to 25% of auditorium capacity. Actors, crew and audience members must wear masks at all times in the building.
In-person advance tickets are $16, $14 for ages 55 and older, $11 for students (plus fees) at 724-836-8000 or ggccevents.org. Tickets at the door are an additional $2 without fees.
The Sunday matinee will be livestreamed for those wishing to view remotely. Livestream option is $15 per device (plus fees) at gctheatre.org.
Shirley McMarlin is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Shirley at 724-836-5750, smcmarlin@triblive.com or via Twitter .
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April 27, 2021 at 10:30PM
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Greensburg Civic Theatre romps through Shakespeare's complete works - TribLIVE
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