Changing Scene presents “The Complete History of America (Abridged)” starting Oct. 30.
Imagine what fun it must’ve been to write this script. With the complete history of America as your comedic playground, think of all the ripe characters on the presidential roster alone.
“From Washington to Watergate,” they say, “Bering Straits to Baghdad, the New World to the New World Order … 600 years of history in 6000 seconds.”
The show is a 90-minute romp through the annals of American history, presented by just three actors ala “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)” (which incidentally just closed its run at WWCA in Port Orchard).
“The Complete History of America (Abridged)” (which Changing Scene opens Oct. 30 in Bremerton) comes from the same minds that brought you “The Complete Works of Shakespeare” — the self-proclaimed “Bad Boys of Abridgement” — the Reduced Shakespeare Company.
Known for taking long and involved, serious subjects and condensing them into short, sharp and often hyperactive comedies, the RSC has also tackled “The Complete Word of God,” “All the Great Books” “Western Civilization” and most recently “Completely Hollywood,” in their expansive “(abridged)” repertoire.
Word has it, they might take on George Lucas’ “Star Wars” saga next.
But for now — just in time for a brush up on on the country’s history, in advance of one of the most important presidential elections in said history — the Changing Scene Theatre Northwest presents “The Complete History of America (Abridged)” starring the youthful vigor of Bri Osborn, Zach Chandler and Justin Dielmann.
And given the timing of the show’s release — Oct. 30-Nov. 15 — there’s a certain, sort-of, shall we say, political element, added to it, which Changing Scene director Darren Hembd said is definitely intended.
CHANGING SCENE PRESENTS: “The Complete History of America (Abridged)” Oct. 30-Nov. 15 with curtains preceded by a Chinese meal at 6:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays (except Oct. 31, Thursday for opening night) and 12:30 p.m. Sundays at the Panda Inn, 4180 Kitsap Way in Bremerton. Tickets are $25 for dinner and the show, with a limited number of “show-only” tickets available. Call (360) 792-8601 for reservations. Info: www.changingscenenorthwest.org, www.reducedshakespeare.com.
