FST Ends Summerfest Season With THE COMPLETE WORKS OF WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE (abridged) Opening 7/29

Florida Studio Theatre concludes it's Summerfest Season with Jess Borgeson, Adam Long and Daniel Singer's The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) opening July 29 and continues through August 23, 2009. Called a "Fantasia of zany energy" by the New York Daily News, The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) has "a talent to mine humor through the bards own words and the antics of 3 comedic actors playing all the great roles," commented Richard Hopkins, Artistic Director.

All 37 plays in less than two hours! A wild, fast-paced frolic through the works of Shakespeare. You've never seen the classics performed like this! London's longest running comedy comes complete with The Histories: The Football Game. This is Shakespeare for those who don't think they like Shakespeare - and especially for those who do!

The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) has been produced hundreds of times across the country and the world. The World Premiere took place in 1987 at the Edinburgh Theatre Festival in Edinburgh, Scotland and became the longest running comedy in London at the Criterion Theatre. The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) was conceived by members of The Reduced Shakespeare Company, whose shows also include The Complete History of America (abridged) and The Bible: The Complete Word of God.

The 3 comedic actors portraying numerous roles are New York Actor Michael Daly, whose recent credits include Peter Pan and Windy City at the Walnut Street Theatre. Other credits include Singin' In The Rain at the Carousel Dinner Theatre, A Midsummer Night's Dream at Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey and Twelfth Night and Taming of the Shrew at Orlando Shakespeare Festival. New York Actor Brad DePlanche who most recently was seen as numerous characters in FST's 2008 Summerfest production of The Mystery of IRMA VEP. DePlanche has also been seen Off-Off Broadway; Classic Stage Company, Theatre at St. Clements, and Chelsea Repertory. Regional; Orlando Shakespeare Theater, South Coast Repertory, American Conservatory Theatre, Actors Theatre of Louisville, Utah Shakespearean Festival, Syracuse Stage Company and many others. New York Actor Christopher Patrick Mullen has appeared in 23 productions with The Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival including King Lear, Dracula: The Journal of Jonathan Harker, The Mystery of IRMA VEP, As You Like It, Hamlet, The Glass Menageria and Twelfth Night. He is also a member of the resident ensemble of artists at The People's Light & Theatre Company.

Director Jim Helsinger returns to FST for The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged). He previously directed The Mystery of IRMA VEP and Good Evening. Other directing credits: A Tuna Christmas, The Complete Works of William Shakespeare: Abridged, (Actors Theatre of Louisville); Charley's Aunt, The Imaginary Invalid, Sleuth, The Mystery of IRMA VEP (Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival); The Fourposter, Stones in His Pockets, King Mackerel and the Blues are Running, The Big Bang and Rounding Third (Cape May Stage); Macbeth, Crime and Punishment, Antony and Cleopatra, Tartuffe, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Richard III, The Taming of the Shrew, Every Christmas Story Ever Told and Hamlet (Orlando Shakespeare Theater). Mr. Helsinger serves as the Artistic Director of the Orlando Shakespeare Theater (orlandoshakes.org) and as a faculty member of the University of Central Florida.

The production design team includes FST staff member Marcella Beckwith (Costume Design) along with Lighting Designer Mike Foster and Set Designer Lauren Feldman.

The madcap of The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) runs through August 23, 2009 at the Keating Theatre. Tickets are $19 - $32 and may be purchased from the FST Box Office in person, by phone (941) 366 - 9000 or online at www.floridastudiotheatre.org !

Known as Sarasota's Contemporary Theatre, Florida Studio Theatre was founded in 1973 by Jon Spelman. Starting out as a small touring company, FST traveled to places such as migrant camps and prisons. The company eventually settled down into a permanent home, acquiring the former Woman's Club building - now renamed the Keating Theatre. In the years that followed, Florida Studio Theatre established itself as a major force in American Theatre, presenting Contemporary Theatre in its three theatre venues: the Keating Theatre, the Goldstein Cabaret and its newest space, the Gompertz Theatre.

Even with its growth, Florida Studio Theatre remains firmly committed to making the arts accessible and affordable to a broad-based audience. Under Richard Hopkins, Artistic Director and CEO, FST develops theatre that speaks to our living, evolving, and dynamically changing world. As FST grows and expands, it continues to provide audiences with challenging, contemporary drama and innovative programs.

Florida Studio Theatre is grateful to Dennis and Graci McGillicuddy for underwriting the 2008 - 2009 Summerfest Season and to the Florida Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts, Sarasota County Tourist Development Tax revenues and Sarasota Arts Council.

The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged)
By Jess Borgeson, Adam Long and Daniel Singer
Performance Schedule
July 29 - August 23, 2009

Photo Michael Daly, Brad DePlanche and Christopher Patrick Mullen
Photo credit Amy Steinmetz