Shakespeare Theatre of NJ Presents 'Shakespeare Abridged'

The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey continues its annual summer tradition of theatre "under-the-stars" with the zany and irreverent send-up of Shakespeare, "The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged)" by Adam Long, Daniel Singer and Jess Winfield.  Performances begin on June 18th and continue through July 20th.    Performances are Tuesdays through Sundays at 8:15 p.m. (except July 4th at 7:15 p.m.) at the Greek Theatre on the campus of the College of St. Elizabeth, 2 Convent Road (off Madison Avenue/Rt. 124) in Convent Station.   This replica of an ancient Greek theatre nestled into the hillside of the bucolic campus offers a theatrical event unique on the East Coast.  Tickets are $31 for adults and teens, and $16 for children 12 and under.  Children under five are admitted for free.  For tickets or more information, call 973-408-5600 or visit www.ShakespeareNJ.org. Patrons may also purchase Ticket Packages for additional discounts.  Groups of 10 or more are eligible for group discounts.

The production is appropriate for all ages; for lovers of Shakespeare and for those experiencing Shakespeare for the first time.   Patrons are invited to picnic before and during the performance on the lawn overlooking this pastoral setting.    Audience members may bring their own food and beverages, or purchase snacks and soft drinks on-site.  Patrons can bring a blanket or low beach chair, or rent a stadium seat for $3.00 or a seat cushion for $1.00.  Complimentary hand-held fans will be provided courtesy of Air Group Heating and Air Conditioning Co., while supplies last.  Seating is general admission.  The Outdoor Stage is generously sponsored by Bank of America.

"The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged)" makes poor Willie seem downright silly as three actors race their way through Shakespeare's entire canon with a mix of pratfalls, puns, outrageous female impersonations, clean-cut ribaldry, and broad burlesque.  The side-splitting action will leave audiences of all ages rolling in the aisles, and wildly cheering the mad-cap actors as they bound hilariously, and sometimes backwards, through the Bard's works.

Originally conceived and written by The Reduced Shakespeare Company, The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) "embodies one of comedy's most essential impulses: the adolescent urge to take a baseball bat to the culturally revered," said New York Times critic Ben Brantley of the original production.

Taking audiences on this wild rollercoaster ride are three of The Shakespeare Theatre's most beloved comedic actors - Jeffrey M. Bender, David Foubert, and Jay Liebowitz.

Jeffrey M. Bender is in his ninth season with The Shakespeare Theatre where his credits include Bob Acres in The Rivals, Ludovico in Life of Galileo, Trinculo in The Tempest, Landolph in Enrico IV, Solyony in Three Sisters, and Bread in The Blue Bird, to name a few. He was last seen in Mark Lamos' production of Cymbeline at Lincoln Center this past fall.  He also performed in last year's touring production of Jane Eyre with The Acting Company.

David Foubert returns for his seventh season with The Shakespeare Theatre. He was last seen in the hilarious The Merry Wives of Windsor. Other company credits include: Love's Labour's Lost, Much Ado About Nothing, A Midwinter Night's Dream, Three Sisters and The Comedy of Errors on the Main Stage; The Grouch on the Outdoor Stage; the title role in Hamlet, Tranio/Nathaniel in The Taming of the Shrew and the title role in Macbeth with Shakespeare LIVE! on tour. He just finished five months with The Acting Company's touring productions of Macbeth and The Three Musketeers.

Jay Liebowitz returns for his sixth season with The Shakespeare Theatre where his credits include A Midwinter Night's Dream, Enrico IV, Pericles, Carnival!, Hamlet, Camino Real, Measure for Measure and Romeo and Juliet on the Main Stage; That Scoundrel Scapin on the Outdoor Stage; Hamlet, A Midsummer Night's Dream and The Taming of the Shrew with Shakespeare LIVE!; and The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged): The Tragedy of Hamlet at First Night Morris in Morristown.

This hilarious, family-friendly production is directed by Shakespeare Theatre veteran Jason King Jones.  Jones is in his sixth season with The Shakespeare Theatre. Company credits include The Merry Wives of Windsor on the Main Stage; The Grouch on The Outdoor Stage; Romeo and Juliet, Macbeth and A Midsummer Night's Dream for Shakespeare LIVE!; Timon of Athens and Les Fouberies de Scapin for the Next Stage Ensemble.  Other directing credits include Twelfth Night with Shakespeare Festival/LA, The Good Daughter at New Jersey Repertory, Mark Loewenstern's A Doctor's Visit at Vital Theatre, The Brothers Karamazov at 12 Miles West, Antony and Cleopatra at Expanded Arts, A Midsummer Night's Dream at Nebraska Wesleyan University, The Foreigner at University of Scranton and Master Harold ... and the Boys at the Public Theatre of Kentucky.

The first preview performance of The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) is on Wednesday, June 18th at 8:15 p.m. and offers opportunities for reduced-price tickets, as an incentive to first-time theatergoers as well as those who would otherwise not be able to afford a night at the theatre.  As always, the first preview performance is Pay What You Wish night -- name your own admission price for that evening's 8:15 preview performance.  Offer is subject to availability.  Call the box office at 973-408-5600 for details.

For no more than the cost of a regular ticket, Symposium Series performances include the additional treat of a post-play discussion with the cast and artistic staff, on Tuesday, June 24 at 8:15 p.m. and Saturday June 28 at 8:15 p.m.

On Thursday, June 26, The Shakespeare Theatre presents the popular education program Know the Show. From 7:00 to 7:30 p.m., director Jason King Jones will present a pre-performance talk that provides background information and an insider's perspective on The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged).  General admission to Know The Show is $5 for the general public, $4 for subscribers and ticket package holders. Tickets to that evening's 8:15 p.m. performance may be purchased separately for $31 or $16 for children under 12.  Single ticket prices include a $1.00 Facility fee not subject to discount.

Preview performances of The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) are Wednesday, Thursday and Friday June 18, 19 and 20 at 8:15 p.m. Previews offer the thrill of seeing a work-in-progress before the show officially opens.  Additional performances are Tuesday through Sunday evenings at 8:15 pm.  On Wednesday, July 4th the performance will be held at 7:15 pm to allow patrons the opportunity attend their favorite firework displays following the performance.

All tickets are $31 for adults and teens and $16 for children under 12.  Children under 5 go free.  Seating is general admission.    For tickets or more information, call the box office at 973-408-5600 or visit www.ShakespeareNJ.org.   Groups of 10 or more save up to 25% off the regular ticket price.  

Patrons can save up to 20% off regular ticket prices by purchasing Discount Ticket Packages. Patrons can select six, five or four plays of their choice at discount prices.   Ticket Packages also offer additional benefits such as discounts on additional tickets and flexible ticket exchange privileges.  Patrons may also select FlexPasses -- discounted vouchers that are redeemed for tickets during the season.   To order, or for more information call the box office at 973-408-5600 or visit www.ShakespeareNJ.org.

The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey's Outdoor Stage, the Greek Theatre on the campus of the College of St. Elizabeth, is conveniently located at 2 Convent Road, off Madison Avenue (Rt. 124) in Convent Station, just minutes from routes 287, 78 and 10.   Parking is free.   The theatre is barrier free.  Wheelchair seating is available.  Braille and Large Print programs are available.  Infared listening devices are available free of charge.   

The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey's Main Stage, the 308-seat F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre, is conveniently located in Madison at 36 Madison Avenue (Route 124) at Lancaster Road (on the Drew University campus), just minutes from routes 287, 78 and 10. Parking is free.   The F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre is barrier free with access into the theatre via a ramp and elevator access to all floors.   Wheelchair seating and transfer seating is available.  Braille and large print programs are available.   Infrared listening devices are available free of charge.  Some performances are audio described, captioned and sign-language interpreted.  Contact the theatre for more information.   For more information, or to purchase tickets, call 973-408-5600 or visit www.ShakespeareNJ.org

The acclaimed Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey is an independent, professional theatre company located on the Drew University campus. One of the leading Shakespeare theatres in the nation, serving 100,000 adults and children annually, it is New Jersey's only professional theatre company dedicated solely to Shakespeare's canon and other world classics. Through its distinguished productions and education programs, the company strives to illuminate the universal and lasting relevance of the classics for contemporary audiences.

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