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By Ayanna Eckblad

It may be too early in the year for Shakespeare in the park, but people in the community will still be able to get their Shakespeare fix from Albert Lea Community Theatre’s production of “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare — Abridged.”

It is a parody in which three Shakespeare enthusiasts “weave their way through all of Shakespeare’s comedies, histories and tragedies in one wild ride that will leave the audience breathless and helpless with laughter,” according to the play’s description on the ACT website.

It is a small cast of characters: Daniel Singer, played by Ethan Eriksmoen; Jess Winfield, played by Risha Lilienthal; Adam Long, played by Adam Odegaard and Bob in the booth, played by Daniel Montenegro.

Lilienthal has acted in other plays, including being Portia, the ugly stepsister, in “Cinderella,” and Helen Keller in “The Miracle Worker.” She has also directed plays at ACT. Some of Eriksmoen’s past roles include Eric in “The Big Five-oh,” and Sebastian in “The Little Mermaid.” Montenegro has acting and technical experience. He most recently played Tom Keddle in “A Christmas Carol.” This will be Odegaard’s debut acting role in community theater.

“It is a lot of fun. It’s a fun group of people,” said the play’s director Brian Mattson. “Risha, Adam and Ethan, they’re a lot of fun. They are having a blast doing this, they’re having a blast at rehearsals. They’re helping make this play better, they have some great ideas.”

Mattson has directed six plays and participated in over 50 others as both an actor and doing technical work. “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare — Abridged” is one of his favorites.

“I saw it a long time ago when I was in England … back in 2001,” Mattson said. “I said, ‘Oh my gosh, I would love to do this play.’”

He also said he enjoys that the show pokes fun at the famous playwright while still being respectful of his work.

Each of the three characters has unique and colorful personalities. Lillenthal describes her character, Jess, as being, “the big old nerd. She’s probably the one who roped the other two into doing it … She’s read two whole books on Shakespeare so she’s an expert, and she lets everybody know it.”

“[Daniel] opens up the opening of the play and the beginning of Act 2,” Eriksmoen said. “Most of his humor usually comes from the unexpectedness of what comes from the other actors.”

Odegaard’s character, Adam, is described as eccentric and relatable.

“In the end, he still becomes a team player,” Odegaard said. “I play pretty much every girl on stage so … there’s just a lot of surprises and stuff like that.”

The play also includes audience participation, which both Mattson and the actors said was something new and exciting for them.

“The whole audience will get involved at one point,” Mattson said. “We’ll get to do some cheering and shouting, which is a lot of fun.”

Eriksmoen said he is curious to see how things turn out.

“I hope [the audience] will learn a little bit about Shakespeare and want to see a Shakespeare play,” Mattson said. “But I also hope that they go out just having had a fun time, they got to laugh, and have fun, and see a different side of the stage, I guess, than they usually see.”

Lillenthal said she loves the collaborative spirit of theater.

“I love the fact that there’s several of us that get together and produce one thing together and help each other and feed off each other and communicate better I think in the long run,” she said. “And also with that comes empathy for people a little more and the richness of being able to think in somebody’s else’s shoes.”

“The Complete Works of William Shakespeare — Abridged” will be performed at the Marion Ross Performing Arts Center in downtown Albert Lea March 14, 15, 16, 17, 20, 21, 22 and 23. Shows start at 7:30 p.m., with the Sunday, March 17, matinee, at 2 p.m.

Tickets may be purchased over the phone by calling 877-730-3144 (service fees apply), online at actonbroadway.com or at the box office. Tickets also are for sale at the Albert Lea Convention & Visitors Bureau.

More information on tickets and box office hours can be found on the ACT website.

 

Cast

Daniel Singer ……………. Ethan Eriksmoen

Jess Winfield ……………. Risha Lilienthal

Adam Long ………………. Adam Odegaard

Bob in the booth ……….Daniel Montenegro

 

Production Staff

Director………………………………………… Brian Mattson

Technical Director/Set Designer…….. Mark Bartleson

Lighting Designer……………………………. Dietrich Poppen

Stage Manager……………………………….. Christy Fuller

Backstage Crew ……………….. Breanne Estes, Jamie Paulson, Michelle Supalla, Samantha Weir

Production Manager………………………. Risha Lilienthal

Props Curator ……………………….. Michelle Supalla

Set Dressing…………………………. Christy Fuller

Costumes ……………………………. Risha Lilienthal

Lights and Sound ………………………………. Daniel Montenegro, Maya Fuller

Photography/Videography.…………….. Kris Bartley, Aaron McVicker, Phil Hanson

Playbill .………………………………………….. Elizabeth Harty

Box Office Manager…………………………. Sue Tripp

Box Office Volunteers……………………. Donna Bailey, Cindy Fjermestad, Carol Frydenlund, Mary Ellen Johnson, Bev Loos, Sandi Nesse, Karen Olsen, Bonnie Olson, Mary L. Peterson, Arline Richter, Crystal Schatz, Sue Tripp, Jan Zehnder

Building Manager……………………………. John Caucutt