Reduced Shakepeare Co. to Abridge Hollywood and the Bible

The Reduced Shakespeare Company unleash theatrical anarchy on the main stage at the Royal George Theatre, 1641 N. Halsted, with previews beginning October 2, opening October 7 and 9 and running through December 2 for Chicago premieres of two comedies: Completely Hollywood (abridged), opening Sunday, October 7 at 3 pm, and The Bible: The Complete Word of God (abridged), opening Tuesday, October 9 at 8 pm.

"The good book just got better with The Bible: The Complete Word of God (abridged), an irreverent roller coaster ride from fig leaves to Final Judgment. Nothing is sacred as the cultural guerrillas from the Reduced Shakespeare Company tackle such great theological questions as did Adam and Eve have navels and did Moses really look like Charlton Heston? The Reduced Shakespeare Company puts the fun back in fundamentalism with this madcap trip through old time religion," state press notes.

"It's lights! Cameras! Reduction! as the Reduced Shakespeare Company explores the wonderful, wacky world of movies.  From the silents to the talkies, the indies to the blockbuster noisies, Completely Hollywood (abridged) rummages through the reels of Tinsletown's most memorable classics and biggest hits, reducing 200 films into 100 minutes, cutting through the celluloid to give Hollywood a riotous nip and tuck in an epic edit of movie masterpieces."

Both plays are written and directed by Reed Martin and Austin Tichenor, directors of the Reduced Shakespeare Company and authors of the international hits The Complete History of America (abridged) (with Adam Long) and All The Great Books (abridged).  The Reduced Shakespeare Company is a three-man comedy troupe known for taking long, serious subjects and reducing them into short, sharp comedies.  In addition to regular appearances on television and radio, they have performed in 42 states and 17 countries, including performances at the White House and the Kennedy Center and in London's West End.

Royal George Box Office box office, 1641 N. Halsted, or by phone at 312.988.9000.  Tickets can also be purchased through Ticketmaster, 312.902.1500, Ticketmaster.com or all Ticketmaster ticket centers.  Discounted tickets for groups of 10 or more are available by calling Group Theater Tix at (312) 423-6612 or visiting www.grouptheatertix.com.