The Reduced Shakespeare Company, a touring three-man comedy troupe, will perform “William Shakespeare’s Long Lost First Play (abridged)” at 8 p.m. Friday in Markel Auditorium.
“It’s kind of an irreverent, accessible comedy,” theater department chairman James Brandon said.
Those interested in attending can reserve tickets by emailing or visiting the box office. Brandon said the seats are filling up: 250 of 400 spots have been reserved.
“You would have to pay from $50 to $160 to see the same groups in Ann Arbor or Lansing,” Brandon said. “The college offers everything for free.”
The Reduced Shakespeare Company is famous for performing “The Complete William Shakespeare (abridged),” in which it parodies every Shakespeare play. Two years ago, the group performed “The Complete History of America (abridged): Special Election Edition” on campus.
“Last time they were here they were fantastic,” Brandon said. “My son at the time was 13 and I thought he was going to die because he was laughing so hard.”
Performer, writer, and managing partner of the Reduced Shakespeare Company, Reed Martin, told the Collegian in 2016 that Shakespeare would appreciate their abridged interpretation of his complete works.
“We think he would approve,” Reed said. “He was a popular entertainer in his day — over the years he’s sort of evolved into high culture — but when he did his shows, everybody from the high to the low would come and see his show, and love it.”
Brandon said Hillsdale is a favorite performance destination because of its unique classical education.
“They appreciate us because we would get a lot more references and jokes, especially the classical stuff,” Brandon said. “So they love it because jokes that didn’t work the last four places will work in Hillsdale.”
