By Erin Orr
Three guys, one playwright, and 37 plays, all in under two hours. That’s what’s happening at the CenterPoint LegacyTheater in Centerville. These three actors manage to compress the complete works of Shakespeare into about an hour and 40 minutes of high-speed over-the-top hilarity. Knowledge about Shakespeare’s works when seeing this play comedy is helpful, but not at all necessary. All that is needed is time enough to watch and someone to dial 911 in case you pass out from laughing so much. The show begins with Romeo and Juliet, followed by Titus Andronicus, then Othello. Next a hilarious summarizing of the histories, then the comedies. And that’s only Act 1. Act 2 focuses on Hamlet, with some audience participation and a sped up version of the play.
Michael Gardner, Douglas Caldwell and Rusty Bringhurst perform in this fast-paced, never a dull moment, breaking the fourth wall production as themselves educating to us (the audience) about the Bard’s written works in a way that both adults and children will enjoy. They all give their one-hundred percent to their performances and never showed signs of slowing. And when the time came, they all have a knack of making the hall roar with laughter. Collectively, their comedic timing is flawless.
Caldwell sets the tone of the show by connecting with the audience and making a few “announcements.” He seems to find himself alone on stage, stalling, quite a few times. One of his stalling tactics was a comedic magic show. Another, he receives a phone call from fellow actor Gardner about Bringhurst, who ran out of the theater at the end of Act 1, and proceeds to tell the audience about Shakespeare’s Sonnets.
Gardner is amusing as he takes on 13 of the Bard’s characters, including the honor of playing Hamlet in the second act. His high-strung persona has a bit of a breakdown in the second act, but it’s understandable, the audience is told, because, “He’s been through a lot.”
Bringhurst does not shy away from the physical comedy. Nor is he shy abut showing his feminine side, as he is stuck with all the female roles, garbed in a dress. He delivers his off-the-wall comedy and constant upchuck pantomime with grace, and quickly becomes an audience favorite.
You can tell that director Josh Richardson had a lot of fun putting together this show and its cast of crazies. “It is my humble hope that you have at least half as much fun as we’ve had putting this together,” he states in his Director’s Notes. Whether or not you have seen a single play of William Shakespeare’s, you will leave the theater with a smile on your face and maybe appreciate the playwright even more. This is a must see!
Editor’s Note: Every production of this is different as it states in the directions to be creative. (Thus, the magic show at the beginning, for instance.) So, even if you’ve seen this show before, be sure that this one will have many fun, fresh bits and you’ll enjoy it–a lot!
Lots levitra shop uk of research papers have put across so far but no any has yet managed to come up with any medicine. One needs to remove the cause of erectile dysfunction, low cheap no prescription cialis testosterone can be an additional contributing factor in many men who have other risk factors for erectile dysfunction. best pharmacy viagra http://www.jealt.mx/rh.html It is utilized in the treatment of erectile dysfunction or impotence. It s up to the consumer how to intake the medicine http://www.jealt.mx/aviso.html ordine cialis on line as it can be taken with additional drugs or nitrate drugs.
The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)
Centerpoint Legacy Theatre, Leishman Performance Hall
525 North 400 West, Centerville, UT 84014
Phone: 801-298-1302
Show Runs: 9/19 – 10/11 @ 7 pm
Ticket pricing: $15
http://www.centerpointtheatre.org/
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/CenterPointLegacyTheatre
0 Comments