L-R seniors Ethan Conti and Amber Persson and junior Skyler Bates courtesy YHS
OAKHURST — In a bold move, theatrically speaking, students at Yosemite High School are mounting a comedic play with attempts to condense all of the Bard’s works into one 90-minute production. Now, the community is invited to see the results as the Badgers present The Complete Works of Shakespeare (Abridged). The show opens on Thursday, May 2 through Saturday, May 4. Curtains rise at 7 p.m. at the YHS Theater.
The fast paced comedy parodies all the plays and sonnets from the greatest writer in the English language with a company made up of 14 performers who act, sing, dance and perform musical instruments. YHS Theater Arts teacher Lars Thorson directs the students in this spirited production.
Seniors Ethan Conti, and Abby Williams courtesy YHS
“It’s great material that mixes Shakespeare with modern improvisational comedy and has lots of room for the students to be creative and have fun,” Thorson notes.
YHS Senior Ethan Conti plays one of the leads.
“It’s hard because we are supposed to be crazy and almost out of control, but still using some of Shakespeare language,” says Conti. “The dichotomy between the formal language and improv craziness makes the play challenging, but fun,”
As with original productions of Shakespeare and many since, roles can be fluid.
“There are some places where I play a woman and others where I play a man,” explains YHS junior Cassidy Miller. “It can get confusing, but we all just laugh and roll with the craziness.”
Tickets for The Complete Works of Shakespeare (Abridged) are $8 adults, $5 students and senior citizens. For more information please call (559) 683 4667 ext 1256.
