BWW Reviews: THE COMPLETE WORKS OF WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE (ABRIDGED) Is All The Bard You Need!

So many plays, so little time. Lovers of the Bard of Avon wish they could spend their time seeing the entire Canon of his 37 plays (with 1122 characters) at least once, if not multiple times. But life intrudes, so who has the time?

Now thanks to THE COMPLETE WORKS OF WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE (ABRIDGED) at the Promenade Playhouse in Santa Monica you can experience ALL the comedies, ALL the tragedies, ALL the histories, and even a nod to the sonnets, neatly compressed into a 97-minute package performed by three exceptionally talented actors: Eric Bloom (the company's Artistic Director), Mike Niedzwicki, and Lucas Kwan Peterson. The new Santa Monica Rep production is directed by Sarah Gurfield.

The play was written by Adam Long, Daniel Singer, and Jess Winfield in 1987. First performed by the Reduced Shakespeare Company at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, it went on to play on London's West End for ten years, and was additionally produced successfully around the globe.

You'll have to see it to appreciate how they do it at breakneck speed. It's the answer to a Shakespeare fan's prayer, although I must admit the comedies are glossed over so quickly noting Shakespeare's genius at milking 5 stories into 16 plays. But that is understandable given the breadth and depth of the Complete Works.

Eric Bloom portrays 21 characters, Mike Niedzwicki tackles 13, with Lucas Kwan Peterson taking on 18 including several of the ladies to great comic effect. The highlight of the show for me was their version of the Othello rap in which the 3 men tell the entire story in a rap song so funny I wish I could remember all the words, but I know I missed a lot not being able to contain my laughter. Perhaps a copy of the song should be included in the program!

Not all of the Bard's plays are considered equal in the show, and special, loving attention is given to "Romeo and Juliet" in Act 1 and "Hamlet" in Act 2. Funny bits are thrown into the mix, including Romeo being tempted to attend the Capulets party because it's Taco Night and Juliet relaying that which we call a nose would still smell. One of the most hysterical moments occurred when Bloom walked onstage as the Nurse with his fake boobs hanging out, swinging and bopping around throughout the scene. So many funny moments I could not possibly remember them all, but I do recall the apothecary walking out of his scene, waved off with "thanks Obi Wan." Peterson's rendition of "Stairway to Heaven" on guitar ends the tale of woe.

Mike Niedzwicki has the honor of playing "Hamlet" who of course has more lines than any other of Shakespeare's characters. Audience participation abounded during the scene with one lucky lady, Christine, called to the stage to scream as Ophelia while the rest of the audience was divided into sections, each given a line to say to encourage the most blood curdling scream she could muster. During the play within a play scene, King Claudius (Peterson) displaces an audience member so he can have the best seat in the house. The improv nature of the entire play, especially the "Hamlet" scene, guarantees that no two performances will be exactly the same during the run!

Don't miss the Santa Monica Rep production of THE COMPLETE WORKS OF WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE (ABRIDGED). It's All The Bard You Need!

Directed by Sarah Gurfield and produced by Bart Petty for Santa Monica Repertory Theater at The Promenade Playhouse, located at 1404 Third Street Promenade, Santa Monica, CA 90401. Set design: Jen Bloom and Jeremy Swain. Costume design: Madeline Keller. Lighting design: Mike Stone. Graphic design: Brandon Roosa and Shannon Esra. Properties: Ann Marie Tullo. Stage manager: Natalya Zernitskaya.

Runs June 7 to June 30, 2013 on Friday at 8pm, Saturday and Sunday at 7pm.
ADMISSION: $25. Students and seniors $15.
PHONE: 213-268-1454. ONLINE TICKETING: www.santamonicarep.org
ESTIMATED RUNNING TIME: 97 minutes.

May the Bard be with you!

Romeo and Juliet - Lucas Kwan Peterson, Mike Niedzwicki and Eric Bloom.

The Othello Rap - Lucas Kwan Peterson, Mike Niedzwicki and Eric Bloom.

The Othello Rap - Lucas Kwan Peterson, Mike Niedzwicki and Eric Bloom.

The Othello Rap - Mike Niedzwicki, Lucas Kwan Peterson and Eric Bloom.

Julius Caesar meets The Scottish Play - Lucas Kwan Peterson, Eric Bloom and Mike Niedzwicki.