THE COMPLETE WORKS OF WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE (ABRIDGED) Returns to Cincinnati Shakespeare Company, Opening 6/8

Cincinnati Shakespeare Company today announced "The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)" by Adam Long, Daniel Singer and Jess Winfield, the madcap comedy that condenses all thirty-eight of Shakespeare's plays into just ninety-seven minutes. Featuring Billy Chace, Travis McElroy and Nick Rose, "The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)" opens June 8, 2011 and runs through June 30, 2012.

"The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)" features three actors on a mission: to bring the entirety of Shakespeare's canon to the stage in a single evening of theatre. Follow along as they careen wildly through all the comedies, histories and tragedies using a trunkful of props, wigs, and ridiculous costumes. Full of clever quips as well as silly slapstick, the script's affectionate and irreverent treatment of Shakespeare's plays has made it one of the most popular shows in America and England. Previous productions at Cincinnati Shakespeare Company have broken box office records and the title is one of the most requested by audience members. "I have never had so many requests to bring the production back so often. It is an absolute favorite!" says Producing Artistic Director Brian Isaac Phillips.

Authors Adam Long, Daniel Singer and Jess Winfield formed The Reduced Shakespeare Company in Los Angeles in 1981 and debuted "The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)" in 1987 at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. As they began touring the United States, the RSC and the play gained critical acclaim, praised by The Los Angeles Times as "wildly funny" and in the Montreal Gazette as "the funniest play you are likely to see in your lifetime." In 1996, after years of touring the United States and abroad, The Reduced Shakespeare Company opened its extended run of "The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)" and "The Complete History of America (Abridged)" at the Criterion Theatre in London's West End. In 1997, the play was nominated for England's prestigious Olivier Award for Best Comedy. The Reduced Shakespeare Company, refreshed often with new company members, continues to create fast, funny condensations of everything from the Bible, to Hollywood, to the Wide World of Sports from their home base in London.

"Whether you love Shakespeare or hate Shakespeare," says Producing Artistic Director Brian Isaac Phillips, "this script will leave you in stitches. Over the years, audiences of all ages have told us how much they love seeing three guys in sneakers do every play from "Romeo and Juliet" to "Titus Andronicus". We have never done the show with this combination of actors, and we know their comedic timing is excellent! We plan to have a lot of fun." CSC subscribers can purchase tickets for 15% off. Discounts are also available for students, as the show is highly-popular with teens, pre-teens and their families.

"The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)" features CSC Resident Ensemble Members Billy Chace and Nick Rose joined by Travis McElroy. Mr. Chace was in last year's production of "Complete Works" as well as the ever wildly successful and highly comedic "Every Christmas Story Ever Told (and Then Some!)" this past holiday. Nick Rose is an audience favorite a 15 year veteran of the company. He joins the cast for the first time since the 2000 CSC production of "Complete Works". A new cast member, Travis McElroy recently appeared at CSC in this season's "Henry VIII: All is True". He is part of the popular comedy podcast "My Brother, My Brother and Me", which is a part of the "Maximum Fun" production organization and is available at maximumfun.org and on iTunes.

Performances of "The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)" are scheduled Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings at 7:30pm and Sunday afternoons at 2:00pm beginning June 8 and continuing through June 30, 2012. Previews are on June 6 & 7 at 7:30pm and tickets are $14. Cincinnati Shakespeare Company is located at 719 Race Street, downtown Cincinnati, two blocks west of the Aronoff Center. Single Ticket prices range from $22-$28 on Thursday nights and Sunday matinees and from $26-32 on Friday and Saturday nights. CSC Subscribers receive a 15% discount on single tickets. Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express are accepted. Discounts are available for students and group discounts are available for any group with six people or more. To purchase tickets or for more information, call the CSC Box Office at 513.381.BARD (2273), or visit us online at tickets.cincyshakes.com.

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