Pictured left to right: Connor Carew, Patrick Toon, Jon Barker. Photo credit: Jerry Dalia
If you have ever wanted to take a crash course that gives an overview of all of the plays that Shakespeare wrote your time has arrived. The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) [revised] is a fun, fast paced show that will be playing through July 31st at the Outdoor Stage of The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey. It was written by the Reduced Shakespeare Company made up of Adam Long, Daniel Singer, and Jess Winfield The Shakespeare Company of NJ first performed this play back in 2008. Due to popular demand, it has returned this summer slightly changed [revised] featuring some new surprises.
Pictured left to right: Patrick Toon, Connor Carew, Jon Barker. Photo credit: Jerry Dalia
The production is directed by Jeffrey M. Bender. The cast is made up of three actors from the Shakespeare Theatre of NJ company. They are Jon Barker, Connor Carew, and Patrick Toon. Dressed in a variety of costumes throughout the show, they all wear colorful high top sneakers to help them with all the running, jumping, and climbing that goes on. The actors not only tell a story, but they include the audience at a few points during the production. Their inclusions are tastefully done with lots of good humor attached to them.
Here’s how the show is set up: There is a brief introduction given when the audience learns that the 37 plays written by Shakespeare will covered during the 1 hour 50 minute performance. Then it’s on with the show with a wish of “may the Bard be with you.” And they are off and running.
The first play is Romeo and Juliet like you have never seen it done before. The overview takes about 10 minutes and you start to wonder how will they cover the other 36 plays. That’s where the cleverness of the writing comes in. The remainder of Act One rotates between the Comedies, Histories, and Tragedies that make up the Shakespeare Canon. All the plays are not done in the detail that Romeo and Juliet are, but by the time you get to intermission, you have heard something about them or at least their name mentioned.
Jon Barker – photo by Jerry Dalia
Act Two is devoted to the retelling of Hamlet. The quick movements of the three cast members and the continuous changing of costumes makes this a Hamlet you will long remember.
I wish I could have had a show like this years ago before I took my college Shakespeare course. It would have helped me have a better understanding of how the genre we associate with the Bard was composed and also how some themes form the basis of many of his plays. Therefore, I highly recommend this for young people who are studying Shakespeare. I also recommend it for those who enjoy his plays. This will get you laughing and appreciating the man’s work in a brand new way.
High marks must go to everyone who was involved with this production. It provides a evening out to the theater which is perfect for a summer day. Also sending special thanks to the ushers and volunteers who were very helpful to myself and other audience members. I needed help moving my chair which I was using for the first time and couldn’t remember how to close it. The volunteers came to help me move it and also helped my companion and I find just the right seats.
The play is held at the Outdoor Theatre which is located on the campus of the College of St. Elizabeth in Convent Station, just minutes from the main location of the Shakespeare Theatre of NJ in Madison. Bring your own low backed chair or if you have a higher one, you can sit up on one of the top rows of the amphitheater which is a fine view.
This show will run June 22 through July 31.
For tickets or more information, call 973-408-5600 or visit www.ShakespeareNJ.org. Check on free tickets for young theater goers who are 18 and under.