july 2024

Acting Shakespeare Inside America’s Wilderness is an innovative and compelling 90-minute performance that artfully blends stand-up comedy, music, and drama into an extravagant night of theater. This half-length, full-person play creatively adapts Ian McKellen's "Acting Shakespeare," drawing inspiration from James Shapiro's "Shakespeare in a Divided America," and is intricately woven with the parody style reminiscent of Bo Burnham's "Inside" and "Make Happy."

Set against the tumultuous backdrop of early American history, the play delves into the profound impact of William Shakespeare's works, as interpreted by two iconic figures: Abraham Lincoln and John Wilkes Booth. Their divergent understandings of Shakespeare's texts lead them on a collision course to one of the most pivotal moments in history – Lincoln's assassination.

Lincoln, a figure of unity and hope, sought guidance in the wisdom of Shakespeare during his presidency, while Booth, an actor consumed by Confederate ideologies, drew dark inspiration from the same plays. This contrast sets the stage for a gripping exploration of how literature can influence the course of events and the minds of those who shape history.

The play's unique narrative is further enriched by an eclectic mix of songs from Stephen Sondheim and Molly Lewis, adding a musical depth that echoes the emotional and thematic complexity of the story. Through a dynamic blend of drama, humor, and music, "Acting Inside Shakespeare's American Wilderness" not only recounts historical events but also offers a reflective commentary on the power of interpretation and the indelible impact of art on society and individual destiny.

Acting Shakespeare Inside America’s Wilderness is an innovative and compelling 90-minute performance that artfully blends stand-up comedy, music, and drama into an extravagant night of theater. In this “half-length, full-person” format, the audience is invited to journey through the early American wilderness of ideas, thought, and sentiment, witnessing how Shakespeare's themes of power, love, betrayal, comedy, and tragedy were instrumental in shaping both our nation's fascinating identity and its most defining moments. Family-friendly for all ages!

Duration: 90 Minutes

Genre: Stand-up, Concert, Dramedy (Family-friendly for all ages!)

Tickets: FREE, No Registration required, with an option to Donate here

Where: Backlawn Theater at Rivertowns Playhouse - 25 N Broadway, Irvington, NY, 10533, USA

When: July 2024

**Previews:

- July 7: Preview #1, 8:00 PM - 9:30 PM

- July 12: Preview #2, 8:00 PM - 9:30 PM

- Performances:

- July 13: Performance #1 (Opening 🌟), 8:00 PM - 9:30 PM

- July 14: Performance #2, 8:00 PM - 9:30 PM

- July 19: Performance #3, 8:00 PM - 9:30 PM