Theatre Memphis to Present THE COMPLEAT WRKS OF WILM SHKSPR, 4/8-24

- 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 birth and 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.