The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)

CORE STANDARDS

ELACC9-10RL9: Analyze how an author draws on and transforms source material in a specific work (e.g., how Shakespeare treats a theme or topic from Ovid or the Bible or how a later author draws on a play by Shakespeare).ELACC9-10RL3: Analyze how complex characters (e.g., those with multiple or conflicting motivations) develop over the course of a text, interact with other characters, and advance the plot or develop the theme. ELACC9-10SL2: Integrate multiple sources of information presented in diverse media or formats (e.g., visually, quantitatively, orally) evaluating the credibility and accuracy of each source.ELACC11-12RL4: Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in the text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone, including words with multiple meanings or language that is particularly fresh, engaging, or beautiful. (Include Shakespeare as well as other authors.)ELACC11-12RL6: Analyze a case in which grasping point of view requires distinguishing what is directly stated in a text from what is really meant (e.g., satire, sarcasm, irony, or understatement).ELACC11-12RL7: Analyze multiple interpretations of a story, drama, or poem (e.g., recorded or live production of a play or recorded novel or poetry), evaluating how each version interprets the source text. (Include at least one play by Shakespeare as well as one play by an American dramatist.)Synopsis:Can three guys really cover thirty-seven Shakespeare plays in less than two hours? This fast-firing comedy does just that as it parodies all of the Shakespeare plays (plus the sonnets!) with only three performers in two acts. This play is full of energy as the characters run across the stage and keep you guessing how they will pull off the next play. Clever use of some interesting costumes also adds to the fun. The play starts with an eccentric version of Romeo and Juliet, followed by a parody of Titus Andronicus (which is portrayed as a cooking show). Next is Othello, which is done as a rap song (the infamous “Othello Rap”). The members of the trio compete in a hilarious football game which summarizes the histories (King John, Richard II, Richard III, Henry I etc), complete with commentary and details of each character’s rise and fall from power. As the characters are about to come to the end of the first act, they realize they forgot to perform Hamlet. One of the actors becomes nervous and runs out of the theatre with another actor chasing him. The final actor is left to entertain the audience by himself, which he does by telling jokes. After a loud chase, the missing two actors return and save their companion from reciting all of the sonnets. All three actors then perform their very abbreviated version of Hamlet.

Characters:It would be impossible to list and describe all the characters in The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged). Afterall, three actors portray the characters in all thirty-seven of Shakespeare’s plays! The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) was first performed by the authors (Adam Long, Daniel Singer, and Jess Borgeson) on June 19, 1987. The three performers used their own first names. They advise actors in all subsequent performances to substitute their own names for “Adam,” “Jess,” and “Daniel.” The script further specifies which Shakespeare character each actor is portraying, but there are far too many to list! Knowledge about Shakespeare’s works is helpful, but not necessary. All that’s really necessary is “a willing suspension of disbelief ” and the ability to not take Shakespeare too seriously, as you laugh at him, his characters, the actors, and (sometimes) yourself.THEATER ETIQUETTEAttending the theater can be a fun experience for everyone if you observe a few simple courtesies:• Turn off and put away all electronic devices prior to entering the theater (cell phones, iPods, games).• Taking photographs and video recording in the theater is strictly prohibited.• Do not place your feet on the seat in front of you.• The actors onstage can see and hear the audience just as well as you can see and hear them. Please refrain from talking or moving around during the performance as it can be distracting to the actors as well as to other audience members.• Feel free to respond to the action of the play through appropriate laughter and applause. The actors enjoy this type of communication from the audience!• Have fun! Attending theater should be an enjoyable experience.Questions:1. Would Shakespeare approve or disapprove of this play and what it has done to his material?2. Does this play teach us about Shakespeare?3. Which of Shakespeare’s plays did you learn something new about? Were there some you hadn’t heard of?4. Were there any moments of Shakespeare’s language that stood out to you?5. In the notes to the play, the playwrights suggest that ‘topical references’ should be updated to ‘keep the show fresh and timely. Discuss the choices made in this production. ? If you were to update the script what are some current topics you could use?6. How is humor used in this play? Describe various moments and how the humor worked?7. How would you “reduce” the body of work of another famous author? Think of famous novelists, poets, journalists, songwriters. Could you condense the work of your favorite poet or songwriter into a single poem or song? Could you abridge a prolific novelist’s life work into a single short story?

8. Many of Shakespeare’s plays have been adapted, forming the basis for other plays, films, novels, etc. Find a contemporary adaptation of a Shakespeare play (e.g., Baz Luhrmann’s film Romeo and Juliet). What is successful about it? What has the adaptation retained or dropped from Shakespeare’s original?9. If Shakespeare were alive today, what art form would he be working in? Can you think of anyone in today’s world who might be viewed centuries from now as the Shakespeare of the 21st century?10. Choose a famous Shakespeare line, either in or out of the play, and rework it in at least three different ways. How much can you change it while still retaining the same basic meaning? Try including popular slang.11. Identify and discuss a few of the comedic devices (cross-dressing, word play, popular references) that exist in both the play and in Shakespeare’s work. Think of other popular forms of comedy (a specific comedian or sitcom) and evaluate the similarities and differences in their work.12. What moments did you enjoy in the play?13. Who was your favorite character and why?The Fourth WallTheatre has four metaphorical walls. The first three box in the stage; there is an imaginary wall on stage right, stage left, and up stage. The fourth wall is between the actors and the audience. Denis Diderot first made the Fourth Wall explicit in the 19th-century. The idea is that the audience experiences a play without being a part of it—they are the fly on the wall but have no interaction at all with the action. In modern theatre, however, actors tend to breach the Fourth Wall more often. Mostly in comedy or children’s theatre, actors will talk directly to the audience, sharing jokes or asking for advice. As you will notice, the play you are about to see breaks the Fourth Wall many times. 1. What do you think are the benefits theatrically of this breach? 2. Does it help move the action or does it distract from the audience’s experience? 3. Why do you think that, until just recently, the unspoken theatrical rule was upheld and why is it now broken?Actor vs. Character: When we go to the theatre, we typically assume we are going to see actors playing specific characters (unless you’re going to an improv troupe or stand-up comedy night). However, in this play, the actors play themselves for a good portion of the evening, even referring to each other by their given names. 1. Have you seen any other plays, television shows, or movies where actors play themselves? 2. How does it change the play to have real people on stage instead of fictional characters? 3. How do you imagine these three actors feel playing themselves instead of a character?