March 28th to March 31st: The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) at Coker College

The Theater Program at Coker College will present “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged),” a comedy by Adam Long, Daniel Singer and Jess Winfield, at 7:30 p.m. March 28, 29, 30 and 31 in the Black Box Theater in the Elizabeth Boatwright Coker Performing Arts Center.

“Of the many lessons that actors and crew members encounter in developing a theater production, perhaps the single, most valuable lesson this cast has learned relates to the importance of ensemble playing,” said Assistant Professor of Theater Kindra Steenerson, who directs the production.

“They've seen first-hand how necessary each and every one of them is to the process, and this group of students has shown impressive commitment to the show, each other, and the rehearsal process. After long days of classes, they're working three hours or more, Sunday through Thursday night, and their attitudes and generosity of spirit have been exemplary.”

The cast, whom Steenerson says “provides the sass” for her first production at Coker, includes students Cecil Ray Morrell III, Hartsville; Daniel Stevenson, Columbia, S.C.; Keon Wilson, Sumter, S.C.; Datra Cook, Sumter, S.C.; Dana Griffin, Kershaw, S.C. and Ellen Skipper, Conway, S.C.  Set and lighting design are provided by Assistant Professor of Theatre David Dawson, and the sound design is provided by Facilities Manager and Assistant Technical Director Trevor Robinson.

One of the world’s most frequently produced plays, “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)” has been translated into dozens of languages and has been praised by the Los Angeles Times as “wildly funny,” by the Montreal Gazette as “the funniest show you are likely to see in your entire lifetime” and by the New York Times as “irresistible.”

Produced through a special arrangement with Broadway Play Publishing, the play “makes a dilly of poor Willy,” wrote theater critic Michael Musto of the New York Daily News. Musto described it as “a fantasia of zany energy that throws together Monty Python-ish drag and Mel Brook-ish anything-for-a-laugh gags.”

Admission is free, and seating is limited, so early arrival is recommended. For more information, call 383-8382 or contact Steenerson atksteenerson@coker.edu.