FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
March 21, 2016
CONTACT: Randall
Hartzog, Theatre
Memphis, Director of Marketing and Communications
rhartzog@theatrememphis.org
/ 901.682.8601
Celebrating Shakespeare At Theatre Memphis
Memphis,
TN – The Compleat Wrks of Wllm Shkspr (Abridged) will run from April 8 until April 24, 2016, in the Next Stage at
Theatre Memphis as the Adam Long, Daniel Singer and Jess Winfield comical
parody takes the spotlight to honor William Shakespeare’s life. Three actors
take on William Shakespeare in all his glory in an animated and shortened
interpretation of a wide range of his works. Typically the actors portray
themselves rather than certain characters and some scenes involve audience
participation. The fourth wall is non-existent as improvisation and pop culture
weave into the performance.
Jeff
Posson directs this engaging, hilarious production that is a modern mash-up of
so much of Shakespeare. Posson promotes, “I think the major difference in our production is that we have
taken great pains to make the show engaging for a 2016 crowd. The base script
that the original creators developed is still an amazing foundation, but we've
taken steps to update many of the references while never moving away from the
original intent of the Messrs. Long, Singer and Winfield. The Next Stage is
such a wonderful space and the immediacy of the audience allows for wonderful
direct interaction.”
The cast includes, according to Posson, “… three open-minded, inherently, funny actors….” He says, “I was looking
for three actors who, above all, MUST LOVE SHAKESPEARE.” And the three he found
are Joshua Hitt, Meghan Lisi and Kevar Maffit. “I consider Shakespeare to be,
hands down, the greatest playwright in English history,” Posson continues, “
but I also believe that he appreciated a good joke … I hope we've crafted a show that would make
him laugh.”
Theatre Memphis Executive Producer Debbie Litch says, “We
wanted to honor William Shakespseare’s 400th anniversary of his death
like so many theatres are … and to keep it fun we decided on ‘The Compleat Wrks of Wllm Shkspr’. So in
a celebratory way, we are tipping our hats to him and to all who have followed
by acknowledging so many of his works in a special way for a no holds “Bard”
good time.”
A late night 11pm performance will be held on Friday,
April 22, 2016, as a tribute to Shakespeare as the show will roll into April 23
… the probable birthdate and actual death date of the master playwright.
TITLE: The Compleat Wrks of Wllm Shkspr (Abridged)
WRITTEN BY: Adam Long, Daniel Singer, and Jess Winfield
DIRECTOR: Jeff Posson
VENUE AND ADDRESS: Theatre Memphis in the Next Stage, 630 Perkins
Ext, Memphis, TN, 38117
RUN DATES: April 8 – April 24, 2016, SPECIAL PERFORMANCE: Friday,
April 22, 2016. 11pm
TIMES
OF SHOWS: Thursdays
@ 7:30pm, Fridays and Saturdays @ 8pm with matinees @ 2pm on Sundays
TICKETS: $25 adults, $15 students
BOX OFFICE: 901.682.8323
WEB:
www.theatrememphis.org
SPONSORED BY:
Gene and Sandra Cochran
Production photos
available 4/6/16.
Theatre
Memphis is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization located at 630 Perkins
Extended (corner of Perkins Extended and Southern) and is a community theatre
whose mission is to provide outstanding theatrical experiences to enrich the
lives of our audiences and participants.
Theatre Memphis receives season sponsorship and
funding from: