Like many people, Gary Puckett and Jake Murphy, who are codirecting “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)” for The Riverfront Playhouse in Aurora, are getting back to doing what they enjoy after a long hiatus due to COVID-19.
“I am filled with gratitude,” Murphy said. “I get to work on a project involving live theater after a year’s layoff and embark on this quest with a top-notch cast and crew. And when all is said and done, I am just grateful to be alive.”
Puckett concurs.
“I used to say that doing theater was the most fun I had with my clothes on,” he said. “Now I say it’s the most fun — period! It’s good to be back doing something that I love.”
The Riverfront Playhouse production of “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)” will be presented at 7 p.m. on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from July 13-28 at Mundy Park in downtown Aurora. Admission is free, but donations are accepted. Mundy Park faces Broadway Avenue and opens up to Water Street Mall. The park is adjacent to The Venue at 21 S. Broadway Ave.
“The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged),” written by Adam Long, Daniel Singer and Jess Winfield, parodies the plays and sonnets of William Shakespeare. The pieces are performed in comically-shortened vignettes or merged-together sections, usually by three actors.
“We are actually having four actors, since in our production the Stage Manager is going to have a lot of business, too,” Puckett said. “So, with only four actors, you’d better have a solid cast, because there is no place to hide. Fortunately, this is one of the strongest casts I’ve ever seen at the Riverfront.”
“The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)” was first performed at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 1987 and later played at the Criterion Theatre in London, where it ran for nine years.
“It is a sendup of all things Shakespeare,” Puckett said. “It started a long time ago as an improvisation, evolved into a play, and now is performed as an improvisation again. It is clever enough for the people who are clever, stupid enough for the people who are stupid and entertaining for everyone in-between.”
The co-directors are an interesting duo.
“Jake, who is 21, has seen exactly ONE play at the Riverfront,” Puckett said, “but he has done many shows elsewhere. I am 65 and I have literally been with The Riverfront Playhouse since Day One. For this show, Jake does 90 % of the work and I take 50 % of the credit.”
“But seriously,” Puckett continued, “he is expanding my knowledge of improvisation, which is a major part of this production.”
In various performances of the play over the years, the actors have been known deviate from the script by having conversations about the material with each other or the audience. Oftentimes the actors make references to pop culture or to talk about local people and places.
“Fortunately, our performers all have extensive improvisation skills,” Puckett said. “We work on that aspect of the show by continually throwing curves at them during rehearsals. And they just run with it.”
Both Murphy and Puckett believe the show will be well received.
“We think this show works perfectly for the first show in this post-pandemic environment.” Murphy said. “It is fast, witty, rambunctious, and with lots of audience participation.”
“This is truly not an example of ‘You get what you pay for,'” Murphy continued. “You will pay nothing for this and get more than an hour of wonderful outdoor entertainment.”
More Top Picks Best Korean Cooking Scissors
“The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)”
When: 7 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays, July 13-28
Where: Mundy Park in downtown Aurora
Tickets: Free
Information: 630-897-9496 or riverfrontplayhouse.com
Randall G. Mielke is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.