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August 12, 2016

The theater company Acting Out! will hold performances of "The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) [Revised]" today and Saturday at the Osage Centre, 1625 N. Kingshighway in Cape Girardeau. The name may be lengthy, but it also is surprisingly accurate, according to Amanda Rhodes, executive director of Acting Out!...

Audra Novak portrays Hamlet on Thursday at the Osage Centre during a dress rehearsal for "The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) [Revised]," produced by local theater company Acting Out! More photos are in a gallery at semissourian.com.
Audra Novak portrays Hamlet on Thursday at the Osage Centre during a dress rehearsal for "The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) [Revised]," produced by local theater company Acting Out! More photos are in a gallery at semissourian.com.Laura Simon

The theater company Acting Out! will hold performances of "The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) [Revised]" today and Saturday at the Osage Centre, 1625 N. Kingshighway in Cape Girardeau.

The name may be lengthy, but it also is surprisingly accurate, according to Amanda Rhodes, executive director of Acting Out!

All 37 of Shakespeare's works are included in the show. Some merely are mentioned, while many have excerpts acted out in various ways.

The "Othello" section is depicted as a musical.

"It's not your normal Shakespeare," Rhodes said. "It's a comedy."

Jennifer Priddy, right, and Audra Novak rehearse a scene from  Romeo and Juliet  on Thursday, Aug. 11, 2016, at the Osage Centre during a dress rehearsal for  The Complete Works of William Shakespeare(Abridged)[Revised] produced by local theater company, Acting Out!.
Jennifer Priddy, right, and Audra Novak rehearse a scene from Romeo and Juliet on Thursday, Aug. 11, 2016, at the Osage Centre during a dress rehearsal for The Complete Works of William Shakespeare(Abridged)[Revised] produced by local theater company, Acting Out!.Laura Simon

There are three actors in the show: Robyn Martin, Jennifer Priddy and Audra Novak.

Ironically, their roles in the play are that of three actors.

"The three actors believe they are so fabulously talented that they can perform all Shakespeare's works in one play," Rhodes said.

To that end, the trio steps into the roles of many characters during the show, which runs about an hour and 15 minutes.

Priddy said in her three seasons with Acting Out!, this is the most challenging role she has played.

"It has been the most challenging part I've played because I have to jump into so many different characters, who each have their own personality and back story," she said.

For example, Priddy plays three parts during the "Hamlet" segment of the two-act play.

Rhodes said in some ways, putting on a show with so few actors can be more challenging than producing a show with more players.

"In a larger cast, you usually have one strong person who can carry someone who is a little weaker," she said.

In this case, however, all the women have to have top-notch skills.

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"These three ladies have been working very, very hard," Rhodes said.

The show also includes audience participation.

The play begins with one of the cast members seated in the audience, and no one will be able to tell who is actually a cast member until she makes herself known.

After the intermission, a couple of audience members, to be chosen randomly, will be asked to join the players on stage.

"The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) [Revised]" was written by Adam Long, Daniel Singer and Jess Winfield, the founders of the Reduced Shakespeare Co.

Tickets are $12 in advance and $15 at the door. Discounts are available for certain groups. To find out more about discounted tickets, visit www.actingoutsemo.com.

The shows start at 7 p.m.

Tickets can be purchased at www.squareup.com/store/actingoutsemo.

Acting Out! is a 501(c)(3) organization and raises money throughout the year in several ways.

The next fundraiser will be Monday night at Simply Swirled, 274 S. Mount Auburn Road in Cape Girardeau.

From 5 to 8 p.m. that night, 20 percent of proceeds will be donated to Acting Out! for anyone who presents a coupon, found inside the play's program or on the theater company's Facebook page, www.Facebook.com/actingoutsemo.

Rhodes pointed out the organization is not affiliated with Southeast Missouri State University.

Acting Out! will hold other fundraisers in the fall, with details to be announced at a later time, Rhodes said.

Pertinent address:

1625 N. Kingshighway, Cape Girardeau, Mo.

274 S. Mount Auburn Road, Cape Girardeau, Mo.

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