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Media Relations

Brown County Playhouse presents 'The Compleat Works of Wllm Shkspr (abridged)'

To laugh or not to laugh? This is definitely NOT the question when it comes to The Reduced Shakespeare Company's play The Compleat Works of Wllm Shkspr (abridged), which marks the third production of the 58th season of professional summer theatre at the Brown County Playhouse in Nashville, Ind. Prepare yourself for a rip-roaring journey through all 37 of the Bard's masterpieces that gives you the opportunity to tell your friends that, "Yes, I have seen the complete works of William Shakespeare." Only make sure to leave out the "abridged" portion of the title! This off-the-wall interactive comedy will be performed Wednesdays through Sundays until Aug. 27. Sunday performances begin at 3 p.m.

You think you know all of Shakespeare's works from taking countless high school and college literature courses? WRONG! In fact, you don't need to know anything about Shakespeare. When three male actors come together to perform the impossible (75 roles to be exact), it results in nothing but sheer hilarity and utter silliness. Cross-dressing, pop culture references and physical comedy abound as the actors turn Othello into a rap song, King Lear into a Monday Night football game and Titus Andronicus into a somewhat disturbing, Julia Child-inspired cooking show. Even the comedies are transformed into a soap opera-like mini-play entitled "The Love Boat Goes to Verona." All of the above takes place during the first act because the second act is specifically reserved for what the three actors deem to be the greatest Shakespearian play of all time: Hamlet. Performing this work at supersonic speed, backwards and with live audience participation propels everyone to the end of the performance with a BANG!!

The talented cast includes three students in the Indiana University Department of Theatre and Drama: Nick Arapoglou, Chris Hatch and Derek Dion. All three bring a wealth of knowledge and performance experience to the Brown County Playhouse stage. All three are also making their Playhouse debuts with their roles in Compleat Works, but don't let that stop you; they have performed extensively at the Lee Norvelle Theatre and Drama Center on the IU Bloomington campus and in regional theatres around the country.

The Compleat Works of Wllm Shkspr (abridged) is directed by Dale McFadden, professor of acting and directing and associate chair of the theatre department at IU. His directing credits in the Lee Norvelle Theatre and Drama Center include Macbeth, Dracula and Last Days of the High Flier. At the Brown County Playhouse, he recently directed Steel Magnolias and last season's Brighton Beach Memoirs. Of Compleat Works, he says, "This is a hilarious spoof of Shakespeare that requires no knowledge of his works to enjoy. Three well-intentioned knuckleheads attempt to perform all the Bard's plays in 90 minutes, and their endearing plan leads to much fun, farce and outrageous comedy." One of the most often produced contemporary comedies, The Compleat Works of Wllm Shkspr (abridged) marks McFadden's 21st year as a director at the Brown County Playhouse.

The creative team for Compleat Works consists of scenic designer Dathan Powell (Greater Tuna), costume designer Katherine N. Garlick (A Chorus Line), and, as a total coincidence, lighting and sound designer Marie Shakespeare (The Importance of Being Earnest, Greater Tuna).

The Compleat Works of Wllm Shkspr (abridged) will be performed Wednesdays through Sundays until Aug. 27 at the Brown County Playhouse in historic Nashville, Ind. Audio description for the blind and visually impaired will be offered on Aug. 26. Curtain time for performances is 8 p.m. except Sundays, which begin at 3 p.m. Ticket prices are: Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, $18 ($10 for age 25 and younger); Fridays and Saturdays, $20 ($11 for age 25 and younger). Tickets are available in person at the Brown County Playhouse box office or the IU Auditorium box office, by phone through Ticketmaster at 812-333-9955, at Ticketmaster outlets or online at http://www.ticketmaster.com.

Visit http://www.theatre.indiana.edu for more detailed information. For ticket information, please contact the IU Auditorium at 812-855-1103 or the Brown County Playhouse box office at 812-988-2123.

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