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INTERNATIONALLY ACCLAIMED REDUCED SHAKESPEARE
COMPANY BRINGS A DOUBLE DOSE OF LAUGHTER TO FILL THE CINCINNATI PLAYHOUSE
IN THE PARK NOVEMBER 15 TO JANUARY 15 (CINCINNATI) – The Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park will welcome the internationally acclaimed members of the Reduced Shakespeare Company (RSC) to the Thompson Shelterhouse Theatre this holiday season with, not one, but two shows: The Complete History of America (abridged) and All the Great Books (abridged). The plays will run on an alternating schedule beginning November 15 and continuing through January 15. The Complete History of America (abridged), written by Adam Long, Reed Martin and Austin Tichenor, is 600 years of history in 6,000 seconds. This smart and funny romp through the glorious quagmire that is American history begins in 1492 with the story of Italian explorer Amerigo Vespucci. Chronologically covered are the American Revolution, the confusing origins of the Minute Men and the story of America’s first flag. The Lewis and Clark expedition becomes a classic vaudeville routine, while the Civil War is represented through a disastrous slide show. The 1930s, ‘40s and ‘50s are summarized in an abridged radio broadcast, while the spirit of postwar America takes on the tone of an exciting film noir. Along the way, the RSC tackles such controversial questions as: “Who really discovered America?” and “Where was Lucy Ricardo when JFK was assassinated?” According to the Boston Herald, the show is “what The Daily Show might be like if it were hosted by The Marx Brothers.” All the Great Books (abridged), written and directed by Reed Martin and Austin Tichenor, asks audience members to imagine themselves as high school students — unfortunately, not very good ones. Graduation is less than two hours away and all those present are destined to be left behind unless they can pass a remedial literature course led by the school’s athletic coach, drama professor and student teacher. Class includes a soap opera presentation of Dickens’ classics, a reenactment of Don Quixote (in its original Spanish), a rousing dating-game style review of great female authors and a take on War and Peace that’s complete with passion, valor and bad Russian accents. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution called the show “a 90-minute roller coaster ride of hilarity.” The Reduced Shakespeare Company is a comedy troupe known for taking long, serious subjects and reducing them into short, sharp comedies. The group has created five stage shows, two television specials and numerous radio pieces. In addition to ongoing tours of the United States and Great Britain, the RSC has performed at the White House, Lincoln Center, Kennedy Center and in London's West End and has been seen on all the major American and British television networks and heard frequently on both National Public Radio and the BBC. America is an RSC classic, having joined the troupe’s repertoire in 1993 as the second of the RSC plays, after The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged). Books premiered in 2002. An earlier workshop version of the show was part of the Playhouse’s 2002 summer season. Other works by the RSC include The Bible: The Complete Word of God (abridged) and the brand new Completely Hollywood (abridged). Members of the RSC who will be performing at the Playhouse during the nine-week run of the shows are Dominic Conti, Michael Faulkner, Jerry Kernion, Reed Martin and Austin Tichenor. Other members of the production team include Megan Loughney (RSC General Manager), Matt McClane (RSC Technical Director), Robertson Wellen (Backdrop), Phil Englehardt (Set Design) and Rose Blackshaw, Erika Lilienthal, Vernon Marshall, Frances Nelson McSherry, Jenni Schwaner, Allison Stubs and Sally Thomas (Costumes). Tickets to The Complete History of America (abridged) and All the Great Books (abridged) are on sale now. Prices range from $44-$53, depending on day and seat location. All tickets are $37 for the preview performances at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, November 15 and 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, November 16. The official opening night for America is Thursday, November 17 at 8 p.m. and for Books is Monday, November 21 at 7:30 p.m. Playhouse patrons and RSC fans can receive a discount on tickets if they choose to see both shows. During the month of October, those subscribers or single ticket buyers with a seat to one RSC production can save $10 per ticket on the alternate show. The discount becomes $5 beginning November 1. Some restrictions apply. Any unreserved tickets are half-price every day when purchased between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. on the day of the show (for performances Tuesday through Saturday) and from 12 to 5 p.m. on Sunday. The Playhouse is fully accessible. Audio enhancement receivers, large print programs and complete wheelchair access are available. Due to Thanksgiving, there is no performance on Thursday,
November 24. Instead there is a performance on Monday, November 21 at
7:30 p.m. There are no performances on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day or
New Year’s Day. Instead, there is an additional matinee on Wednesday,
December 21 at 1:00 p.m. and an additional evening performance on Monday,
December 26 at 7:30 p.m. For a complete schedule of both shows, click
here. For tickets or for more information, call the Playhouse box office at 513/421-3888 or toll-free in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana at 800/582-3208. Call 513/345-2248 for TDD accessibility. For single tickets purchased by telephone through the Playhouse box office there is a $3 convenience fee per call. Tickets also can be purchased on the Playhouse web site at www.cincyplay.com. Artists fly to and from Cincinnati on Delta Connection Comair, the Playhouse’s official airline. The Playhouse is supported, in part, by the generosity of the tens of thousands of individuals and businesses that give to the Fine Arts Fund. The Ohio Arts Council helps fund the Playhouse with state tax dollars to encourage economic growth, educational excellence and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans. The Playhouse also receives funding from the City of Cincinnati. |
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Meet the Artists 2 p.m. Sunday, November 20 Dining Options Karlo's Bistro at the Playhouse offers full-service dining prior to most evening performances. Dinners include salad, entrée and dessert. Reservations are required by noon on the day of the show. The price is $21, which does not include gratuity. Karlo's Casual Fare offers busy theatre patrons an alternative light, quick bite prior to the show. Options include salads, sandwiches, soups, pasta and desserts. No reservations are required. Sponsors America Production Sponsors: Design Sponsor: America Fine Arts Fund Partners: Books Fine Arts Fund Partners: The 2005-2006 Thompson Shelterhouse Theatre Series is presented by The Shelterhouse Season Design Sponsor is ### |
