Sophomore theatre major Aaron Simons performs as Queen Gertrude from “Hamlet” in one of the play’s many renditions of Shakespeare’s classics. [Photo courtesy Lauren Hunt]

The excellence of Theatre Wesleyan’s production of “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) [Revised] [Again]” lies in its open-armed embrace of the absurd.  

From the moment that the curtain opens, theatrical norms are thrown out of the window and through the fourth wall—which is similarly shattered shortly thereafter. If the witty title didn’t give it away already, through an opening exposition scene full of direct audience addresses, raunchy quips and anything but Shakespeare’s signature sternness, the audience is shown exactly what they’re getting into. 

The show follows two aspiring actors, played by Aaron Simmons and Tristan Andrews, and a dubious Shakespearean scholar, played by Roman Posner, as they attempt to perform the legendary playwright’s entire body of work. The audience is plunged into an immersive whirlwind as the three-person cast performs all 37 of Shakespeare’s plays in 97 minutes.  

From “Titus Adronicus” as a cooking show to a compilation of Shakespeare’s 10 histories as an American football play-by-play to “Hamlet” as a brief attempt at a hand puppet show to “Troilus and Cressida” as an interpretive dance, the show’s renditions on Shakespeare’s classics grow more unhinged and more subversive as the play progresses.  

As each interpolation tops the extravagance of the last, the show eventually unravels into an expansive ensemble involving the participation of the entire audience.  

At various points throughout the show, I found myself thinking, “What on Earth am I watching?” I can’t help but feel that was the entire point and the play’s greatest strength.  

Theatre Wesleyan’s performance of “The Complete Works of Shakespeare (Abridged) [Revised] [Again]” has five remaining dates:  

Friday, February 27 at 7:30 pm   

Saturday, February 28 at 7:30 pm   

Friday, March 6 at 7:30 pm   

Saturday, March 7 at 7:30 pm   

Sunday, March 8 at 2:00 pm Matinee 

To buy tickets, click here.