In celebration of Reston’s 50th Anniversary, Reston Community Center (RCC) has announced a 10-day Reduced Shakespeare Company Extravaganza. The festival will include eight performances by The Reduced Shakespeare Company, a comedy boot camp and several opportunities to meet members of the internationally-known comedy ensemble.
The Reduced Shakespeare Company is a three-man comedy troupe that takes long, serious subjects and reduces them to short, sharp comedies. The “Bad Boys of Abridgement” have created nine stage shows, two television specials, several failed TV pilots, and numerous radio pieces – all of which have been performed, seen, and heard the world over. The trio’s annual visit to RCC’s CenterStage has made them a favorite with Reston audiences.
“The Reduced Shakespeare Company has been part of the RCC arts family for more than two decades,” said RCC Executive Director Leila Gordon. “We can’t imagine any significant anniversary year in Reston that wouldn’t include sharing the hilarity they bring to the CenterStage and our community. In this extraordinary year, bringing back these shows and many original cast members is the ‘least’ we could do for their fans and fully in the spirit of ‘reducing’ us to helpless laughter.”
Tickets will be available to Reston residents and employees on Aug. 1 and to the general public on Aug. 8. Reston Community Center’s Reduced Shakespeare Company Extravaganza will include the following performances:
- Complete History of Comedy (abridged)
Reston Premiere plus Opening Night Party
Friday, Sept. 12 at 8 p.m. ($30 Reston/$60 Non-Reston)
- Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged; revised)
In honor of the Sesquiquadricentennial of Shakespeare’s Birth
Saturday, Sept. 13 at 8 p.m. ($25 Reston/$50 Non-Reston)
- Complete History of America (abridged)
Sunday, Sept. 14 at 3 p.m. ($25 Reston/$50 Non-Reston)
- Selected readings from the Lost Works (abridged)
…including (but not limited to) The Ultimate Christmas Show (abridged) & The Complete Millennium Musical (abridged), songs/verses cut from other shows, readings from RSC books and radio shows - recorded live for future podcast
Wednesday, Sept. 17 at 8 p.m. ($15 Reston/$30 Non-Reston)
- Complete World of Sports (abridged)
Thursday, Sept. 18 at 8 p.m. ($25 Reston/$50 Non-Reston)
- Bible: Complete Word of God (abridged)
Plus post-show Q&A session
Friday, Sept. 19 at 8 p.m. ($25 Reston/$50 Non-Reston)
- All The Great Books (abridged)
Saturday, Sept. 20 at 8:00 p.m. ($25 Reston/$50 Non-Reston)
- Completely Hollywood (abridged)
Plus farewell toast
Sunday, Sept. 21 at 3 p.m. ($30 Reston/$60 Non-Reston)
“We are putting the ‘extra’ in extravaganza,” says PD Michnewicz, RCC Director of Arts and Events. “The festival will include comedy boot camps, podcasts, book signings, talk backs, school workshops, and special guests.”
All performances will take place at the CenterStage, located at Reston Community Center Hunters Woods (2310 Colts Neck Rd., Reston). More information about RCC, CenterStage, the Professional Touring Artist Series and these performances is available online at www.restoncommunitycenter.com.
Tickets will be available for purchase as follows:
- Aug. 1: Sales Open to Reston Residents and Employees
- Aug. 8: Sales Open to the General Public; Online Sales Begin
Box Office Business Hours are as follows:
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday: 4 – 9 p.m.
Saturday: 1 – 5 p.m.
Two hours prior to curtain time for each performance.