The Bard gets chewed up and spit out to comic results at Albany Civic Theater

If you are looking for a light-hearted show with lots of humor and a little bit of culture, then "The Complete Works of William Shakespeare, Abridged" is the show for you.

The show has three local actors, John Carone, Jonathan Pedersen and Pamela Bilderbeck, pretending to be Shakespeare experts while performing bits and pieces of everything ever written by Shakespeare, including the sonnets and plays that most people never hear about. The actors play themselves in this hilarious performance.

With sword fighting, tragedy and comedy, the show targets just about everyone.

Miranda Prince, the director, had seen this play performed in Corvallis about 12 years ago. She loved it and wanted eventually to direct it herself.

"It is one of the funniest things," she said.

Prince has been directing since 2002. And as far as she remembers, this is her sixth show.

The cast and crew have been working on this performance since the beginning of June. They say they are excited to perform in front of a live audience.

Though the performance is a comedy, there is a lot of information about Shakespeare and his plays inserted. The comical way the play is put together and performed makes Shakespeare easy for anyone to understand and enjoy.

"The Complete Works of William Shakespeare, Abridged" runs for less than two hours, including the 15-minute intermission. It is a short performance for those who don't want to be inside for too long during the summer.

The first act includes all Shakespeare's plays except one. The second act, only about a half an hour long, is devoted to the popular tragedy "Hamlet." It is performed slow, fast, forwards and backwards.

During the second act, there is also a large audience participation portion. Prince has been having volunteers come in and play the roles of audience so the actors are able to get a feeling for what it will be like when the theater is full.

"There will not be plants in the actual performances," Prince said. "Volunteers will be pulled out of the audience."

Though the play is humorous and enjoyable, it does have a lot of adult material. Parents may find that some of the content is not appropriate for younger children.

During the play, the actors do remind the audience that though there is a lot of action, please do not try anything you see at home. They are trained professionals who have practiced for several weeks to make sure they are being as safe as possible.

Tickets are available at Sid Stevens Jewelers, 140 First Ave. W., Albany; Rice's Pharmacy, 910 N.W. Kings Blvd., Corvallis; and at the ACT box office 45 minutes before curtain.

Check it out

What: "The Complete Works of Shakespeare, Abridged"

Where: Albany Civic Theater

When: Aug. 8, 9, 15, 16, 21, 22, and 23 at 8 p.m. and Aug. 17 at 2:30 p.m.

Cost: $10 for general admission; $7 for people under 18 and over 60.

Info: 928-4603.