By Hana Tawil How do you introduce William Shakespeare’s complex plots and characters to an audience used to scrolling through content at lightning speed? Three brave actors have a solution — compress Shakespeare’s 37 plays and 154 sonnets into one evening’s length of entertainment. The result? A fun, fast-paced, and frenzied evening — Shakespeare like you’ve never seen before. McLean Community Players’ The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) is a joyfully irreverent take on the canon. Stephen Yednock, Joshua Mutterperl, and Lourdes Turnblom in ‘The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged).’ Photo by Mikail Faalasli. In their quest to bring Shakespeare to the people, a trio of performers bolts through the classics at lightning speed and takes radical creative liberties to make Shakespeare more relatable — like condensing the histories into a football game with rival kings jostling for the crown of England, or reframing Shakespeare’s goriest revenge as a wickedly funny cooking show. Though the play premiered in 1987, the mashed-up-and-remixed approach to the classics feels right at home in 2024, and modern references to Juliet being “very demure, very mindful” and Chappell Roan’s “HOT TO GO!” freshen the script. Thankfully, “though there be madness, yet there is method in’t.” Director Jarod Glou handles the whirlwind of visual gags, larger-than-life characters, and “words, words, words” with skill. His direction delivers fresh and funny spins on Shakespearean characters and scenes. A less focused director might struggle with the chaotic plot of the show, but Glou commits to keeping things distinct, dynamic, and memorable. The actors bring sharp vocal and physical characterization to their Shakespearean roles but shine most when portraying fictionalized versions of themselves. Stephen (played by Stephen Yednock) is the “pre-eminent” Shakespeare scholar of the cast, and Yednock’s resonant voice is just right for his character’s pontificating and soliloquizing. Josh (Joshua Mutterperl) has an endearing determination to entertain. Mutterperl gives it all he’s got, throwing himself physically into every role. Lourdes (Lourdes Turnblom), the group’s “heart,” creates a strong rapport with the audience and makes a real impact in the evening’s only moment of quiet reflection. A solid technical team supports the cast. Noah Beye’s set design is a borrowed stage filled with costume trunks, assorted props, and scenic elements that suggest the settings of Shakespeare’s plays, such as Roman columns for Julius Caesar and Grecian statues for Midsummer. Both Matt Silverman’s sound design and Jehan Silva’s well-timed fight choreography align with the goofy nature of the show. Costume designer Ginger Ager and prop designer Natalie Foley ably meet the diverse requirements of this show. McLean Community Players’ production of The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) proves the Bard’s brilliance can thrive in the TikTok era. You’re guaranteed to leave with a fresh and funny perspective on the Bard, whether you’re a fan or brand new to the iamb. Running Time: Two hours, with one 15-minute intermission. The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) plays November 8—10, 2024, presented by the McLean Community Players, performing at the Great Falls Grange, 9818 Georgetown Pike, Great Falls, VA. Performances are Friday, November 8 at 7:30 pm; Saturday, November 9 at 2:00 pm (understudy performance); Saturday, November 9 at 7:30 pm; and Sunday, November 10 at 2:00 pm. Tickets are $25 ($20 for students) and available online.