3 actors, 37 plays, & 65 roles in 2 hours

Since the 17th century, Shakespearean actors have performed the Bard's masterpiece play Hamlet with reverence and pomp. This January, Theatre Horizon's actors perform it backwards and in drag.

Theatre Horizon presents The Compleat Works of Wllm Shkspr (abridged) opening on January 20 and running through February 15, 2009. The two-hour comedy condenses ALL of Shakespeare's 37 plays into a rollercoaster ride of costume changes, vaudevillian burlesque, and Elizabethan hilarity as three actors play over 65 roles.

Act One presents 36 of Shakespeare's tragedies, comedies, and history plays, including Titus Andronicus acted out as a Food Network show and the plot of Othello performed to a thumping rap beat. Act Two is dedicated to Hamlet. The actors present the work forwards, then backwards, then at high speed.

The Compleat Works of Wllm Shkspr (abridged) stars local Shakespearean actors Andrew Kane, Dave Johnson, and Dan Hodge. Among them, they boast credits in 18 Shakespeare plays. The actors will close the show at Theatre Horizon on February 15, and proceed directly to center city's Lantern Theater where they will perform in a more traditional interpretation of Hamlet.

Director Erin Reilly says, "It's no coincidence that both Theatre Horizon and the Lantern hired these three particular actors. They are incredibly versatile guys, able to meet the challenge of playing comedy, and then mine the depths of their soul for deep tragedy."

Actor Dan Hodge received an M.F.A. from San Diego's Old Globe Theater, where he took on comic roles such as Moonshine in A Midsummer Night's Dream and tragic villains such as Richard III.

All three actors have appeared at Philadelphia theaters such as the Arden Theater, Luna Theater, Theatre Exile, InterAct Theater, People's Light and Theater, and the Wilma Theater.

"I first saw The Compleat Works of Wllm Shkspr (abridged) three years ago at the Philadelphia Shakespeare Festival and I immediately knew I wanted to work on the piece because it requires a virtuosic, marathon performance by three actors who have to play over 65 roles," says Reilly. "I love this play because the energy required to perform it is explosive, and that electrifying exchange of energy between audience and actor is the reason people go to the theatre. You can't go on that kind of ride anywhere else."

Theatre Horizon's Artistic Directors chose to present The Compleat Works of Wllm Shkspr (abridged) because it appeals to people who hate Shakespeare and people who love Shakespeare. The theatre aficionados in the crowd will pick up on clever references to even the most obscure plays, whereas people who dozed through ninth grade English class will be thrilled to see broad physical comedy inserted into even the most delicate Shakespearean moments.

Reilly says directing The Compleat Works of Wllm Shkspr (abridged) has long been a goal. "I really disliked Shakespeare in high school and college, and it wasn't until I starting acting and directing that I began to see that his plays are just poetry plus plot. I like action movies and love stories, and I'm a big poetry fan, so once I understood that, Shakespeare opened up for me."

Erin's credits include acting at the Wilma Theater, InterAct Theater, Theatre Exile, Mum Puppettheatre, and the Walnut Street Theatre. She helmed Theatre Horizon's production of Grease in 2005 and is thrilled to get back to directing at Theatre Horizon.

Erin Reilly believes. "Comedy is so much more challenging than drama because you absolutely cannot fake it. If the actor fails to produce a moment organically, then the joke will fall flat. But when it's done right, and a roomful of people laugh together, I find comedy much more rewarding than tragedy."

On directing the comedy, Reilly says, "Shakespeare's influences were the English monarchy, politics and Greek history. For this show, my influences are Monty Python, the Smothers Brothers, and the TV show Arrested Development, so look for that in this production."

*Actor bios and hi-res JPGs are available upon request.

FACT SHEET FOR
Compleat Works of Wllm Shkspr (Abridged)
Produced by Theatre Horizon, January - February 2009

PERF. DATES/TIMES: January 20th, 21st, 22nd: 7:00pm - PREVIEWS
January 23rd: 8:00pm - OPENING NIGHT
January 24th: 8:00pm
January 25th: 8:00pm
January 28th: 10:00am
January 29th: 7:00pm
January 30th: 8:00pm
January 31st: 2:00pm and 8:00pm
February 1st: 2:00pm
February 4th: 10:00am
February 5th: 7:00pm
February 6th: 8:00pm
February 7th: 2:00pm and 8:00pm
February 8th: 2:00pm
February 11th: 10:00am
February 12th: 7:00pm
February 13th: 8:00pm
February 14th: 2:00pm and 8:00pm
February 15th: 2:00pm

THEATRE: Produced by Theatre Horizon

LOCATION: Centre Theater: 208 DeKalb Street, Norristown, PA 19401

AGES: 13 years old and older

TICKET PRICES: $15 for all Preview Performances; $25 for adults, $22 for seniors, $18 for students and children; Friday and Saturday evening performances: $28 for adults, $25 for seniors, $21 for students and children

BY: Created by the Reduced Shakespeare Company. Directed by Erin Reilly

TICKET INFORMATION: Buy online with NO SERVICE FEES at www.theatrehorizon.org or call 610-283-2230

Theatre Horizon presents plays and musicals at the Centre Theatre at 208 DeKalb Street in Norristown. Founded by local artists in 2005, Theatre Horizon began as a summer company presenting shows in a local park. After three years of tremendous success, the company now presents a year-round season of shows in a professional 75-seat theatre, featuring award-winning actors from Philadelphia and New York. Theatre Horizon also offers popular education programs that reach over 450 children a year, including children with autism and underserved students from Norristown. For some children, their experience at Theatre Horizon is their only chance to experience the magic of live theatre firsthand.