Shakespearian delirium for MCC-Blue River Theatre Troupe

An incredible feat of theatrical prowess will be presented by MCC-Blue River’s thespians as they perform all 37 of The Bard’s plays in just 97 minutes! What’s more, the performance is open to the public and proceeds benefit Harvesters. The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) is a magnificent and comical paring-down of all of Shakespeare’s theatrical works into a hilarious and manageable high speed histori-dromedy.

To quote Shakespeare’s Polonius from Hamlet, our MCC-Blue River actors must prove themselves to be "The best actors in the world, either for tragedy,/comedy, history, pastoral,/pastoral-comical,/historical-pastoral, tragical-historical, tragical-/comical-historical-pastoral, scene individable, or/poem unlimited: Seneca cannot be too heavy, nor/Plautus too light." 

The group will touch on all of those styles, though with a particular flair for comedy, considering the thumb-in-the-eye and tongue-in-cheek that such a hilarious undertaking

 obviously presents to Shakespeare’s works.

In order to allow the grander values of Shakespeare to shine through, MCC-Blue River theatre director Annie Mahoney has appended a set of more seriously toned monologues to the “abridged” play. The collegiate performers will undertake some of The Bard’s most renowned soliloquies before descending into the mayhem of The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged).

Aside from the amazing theatrical feat of presenting 37 plays in 97 minutes, the students are also performing miracles behind the scenes. MCC-Blue River presents its plays in a black box theater which serves three purposes. It is first a classroom, then a rehearsal hall, and finally it is transformed into a theater. Student performers will build their own stage, run their own sound and lighting, and provide all of their own costumes and props. This group is extremely resourceful and dedicated, so seeing what they can accomplish in these areas is an additional treat.

Don’t miss the laughable, lamentable, laudable performance if this unique take on Shakespeare.

April 12 and 14, 12:30 p.m. and again at 7 p.m. both days, The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) performed by the MCC-Blue River Theatre Troupe on campus in the Arts & Sciences building black box theater (room 124), open to the public, proceeds benefit Harvesters, $2 for seniors and students, $5 adult admission

In lieu of admission, you may bring a can or two of food to doante to Harvesters