Expect the best of the best when Fredonia’s Mainstage Series offers “The Complete Works of
William Shakespeare (abridged)” this December.
The Department of Theatre and Dance will present five performances of this comedic “cultural
touchstone” from Dec. 4 to 7 in the Alice E. Bartlett Theatre on the Fredonia campus. Show times
are 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 4; Friday, Dec. 5 and Saturday, Dec. 6; with 2 p.m. matinees on
Saturday, Dec. 6 and Sunday, Dec. 7.
Tickets are available online 24/7 at https://www.fredonia.edu/about/ticket-office. Tickets may also
be purchased on Monday, Wednesday or Friday by phone at 716-673-3501 or in person at the
Campus Ticket Office in the Williams Center during the same hours.
“Comedy is key. Our objective with this and in the writing is pure comedic entertainment,” said
Director Paul W. Mockovak, distinguished teaching professor. “The authors use Shakespeare as
their subject so there are many familiar references but done with a twist or comedic angle. The
play has been around for over 20 years and has had several updates. Ours is a compilation of the
best of them all.”
Written by Adam Long, Daniel Singer and Jess Winfield, “The Complete Works of William
Shakespeare (abridged)” became a worldwide phenomenon upon its debut in 1987, earning the
title of London’s longest-running comedy after a decade at the Criterion Theatre.
It is one of the world’s most frequently produced plays and has been translated into several dozen
languages. Featured are all 37 of Shakespeare’s plays and with a fast paced, witty and physical
approach, it’s “full of laughter for Shakespeare lovers and haters alike.”
“Our job is simply to bring it from the two-dimensional world of the script to the three-
dimensional world of the Bartlett theatre,” Mockovak said. “Some of Shakespeare’s plays are
given more stage time than others. One moment I particularly like is that we encompass all the
comedies into one segment that covers the many plot devices that they use.”
While the original was written for three actors, the Mainstage version has been expanded to six
actors.
“This gives more of our talented students the chance to participate,” Mockovak said “I also have
six great understudies who are equally nimble with the text and pacing. Add in a design team, their
assistants, stage management, building crew, and running crew and we have approximately 60-
plus students involved in this production as well as faculty designers and supervisors. Let’s not
forget our great front of house management and ticket office for performances.”
The director also noted this Theatre and Dance production will be “a visual feast of sorts.”
“Jessica Lustig (assistant professor) has designed fantastic costumes and that combined with the
comedy and farce-paced humor should keep the audience attentive and entertained,” Mockovak
said. “There is also an audience participation element. No need for anyone to worry – it’s a large
group component I think the audience will enjoy.”
As for whether the play appeals more to Shakespeare lovers or Shakespeare haters, the director
calls it a draw.
“The Shakespeare lovers I hope will enjoy the nod to the many scripts and famous lines and those
who are less familiar will find humor in the approach and delivery of the humor,” Mockovak said.
“My hope is that the audience takeaway is one of being entertained and that they had a good
time.”