Capsule Reviews

The Compleat Works of Wllm Shkspr (Abridged) Masters of literary parody Adam Long, Daniel Singer and Jess Winfield struck their heftiest nugget of comic gold (so far) with this ambitious theatrical romp. In the first act, 36 of Shakespeare's 37 plays are given swift send-offs: Titus Andronicus as a cooking show, all the comedies as one play, Othello as a rap and so forth. That leaves the second act free for an in-depth and seriously deranged version of Hamlet, complete with an audience-participation performance of Ophelia's inner monologues. Director Carolyne Hood wisely uses the entire Grandel Theatre to increase hilarity, while actors Brendan Allred, James Enstall and David Cooperstein keep the comic bits flowing nonstop. This St. Louis Shakespeare presentation is performed September 4 at the Grandel Theatre, 3610 Grandel Square. Tickets are $18 to $22. Call 314-534-1111. (Deanna Jent)