Molly Ford

A group of University students will perform the complete works of William Shakepeare in an unpredictable and hilarious single two-act and one hour-long production. “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged),” directed by Adam Wennick ’13, will be this weekend, Sept. 22 and 23 at 8 p.m. This student-run performance is modeled after the work of a three-man comedy group, The Reduced Shakespeare Company.

Wennick, along with 10 actors, a lighting designer, a stage manager, two assistant stage managers, a props master and a lighting operator will take on the lofty challenge of putting a modern spin on Shakespeare’s classic works by combining Shakespearean and contemporary language and themes.

After a witty introduction, the actors portray the beloved “Romeo and Juliet” and immediately follow up with the less successful “Titus Andronicus” in the form of a cooking show. Wennick did not want to give too much away when asked about the performance.

“We lovingly parody all of [Shakespeare’s] works,” Wennick said. “I have been picking apart the script and loving it for the past year.”

Wennick’s inspiration came from taking Assistant Professor of Theatre and Dance Anjalee Hutchinson’s directing class. After the Theatre and Dance department decided to do the mainstage of “Macbeth,” Wennick thought it would be a good idea to do a whole Shakespeare season.

“I had trouble deciding exactly which show I wanted to do, so I thought, why not do them all?” Wennick said.

Wennick wants the audience to laugh harder than they ever have at a University performance. He is most excited for the second act and the audience’s reactions.

Tickets are $5 and can be purchased at the box office.