The Complete Works of William Shakespeare...Abridged
at Los Alamitos High School

Reviewed on November 14, 2014

Katie Van Horn
Mission Viejo High School
Submitted for publication to Orange County Register

Los Alamitos showcases classic Shakespeare… with a twist

A seemingly refined Shakespeare presentation quickly goes hilariously haywire as the actors of Los Alamitos perform "The Complete Works of William Shakespeare…Abridged."

Featuring all of Shakespeare's 37 plays in only 98 minutes, "The Complete Works of William Shakespeare…Abridged" is a fast-paced and witty comedy- though written for three actors- features twelve.

Keith Ahlstrom opens the show as one of three spirited hosts. His enthusiasm and lively spirit parallels his character's love of Shakespeare, and his ability to connect with the audience makes him a charming and lovable character. After being abandoned on stage by his costars, Ahlstrom becomes adorably awkward as he strives to win the audience's affection with corny jokes and his ability to catch gummy bears in his mouth. Accompanying Ahlstrom is Kayla Wiggs, also one of the three hosts. Wiggs maintains composure and a clear voice, all while struggling to keep the rest of the cast in check. As she chases her fellow host through the audience, she exhibits the character's playful and comedic side.

Contributing to some of the many comedic moments in the show is Jade Kaiser. Whether she's playing the silly and cheeky Juliet or shrill, dramatic Ophelia, Kaiser demonstrates her Shakespearean knowledge through her use of over-the-top stock gestures and tasteful comedic interjections. During Hamlet, Kaiser's incredible dedication is displayed as she flings water on herself and throws herself onto the floor. Also memorable is Tara Virgil, whose sarcastic eye-rolls and hilarious apathetic comments contrast the otherwise silly and light-hearted comedy of the show. Adding yet another unforgettable moment is Ryan Smith with his portrayal of Gertrude. With exaggerated operatic gestures, as well as a shrill character voice, Smith's dainty portrayal of Gertrude is nothing short of brilliant.

A coordinated and connected ensemble provides the backbone for this wonderfully executed performance. The cast seamlessly shuffles around the stage and they proceed to perform their comically speedy rendition of Hamlet.

The costumes include a 16th century style blouse paired with colorful tights and converse, providing a mix between modern and classical era. Also setting the mood is the artfully designed and beautifully crafted set. The raked stage and painted quotes create a connection between modern and authentic Elizabethan theatre.

Through team work and communication, Los Alamitos executes a hilarious yet thoughtful show seamlessly, all while managing to encompass the essence of rudimentary Shakespearian theatre.

Jason Marrs
Mission Viejo High School
Submitted for publication to Orange County Register

Absurdity is the soul of Wit in Los Alamitos's ‘Complete Works'

As players scramble desperately to deliver the complete works of William Shakespeare in under two hours, vulgarity, vigor, and vomit are hurled at the audience to prove that brevity is truly the soul of wit in Los Alamitos' ‘Complete Works'.

In this production the stage is a raked maze of Shakespearean quotation on which three hosts must navigate to properly produce the Bard's copious compendium. Along with their players, the hosts crank out each play with questionable integrity, raising the absurdity as they run out of time. What follows is a ridiculous ride through burlesque, bizarreness, and brevity amidst a sea of Shakespearean citation.

Keith Ahlstrom keeps it cool as the first host. Maintaining an aura of suave professionalism, Ahlstrom fearlessly shatters the 4th-wall as he hands out soliloquies and effortlessly tosses gummy bears into his mouth. Kayla Wiggs is the seemingly studious straight-man, Host number-two. Standing upright, Wiggs embodies the stern authenticity she wishes to uphold, either dashing to impose sincerity on her colleagues or into the audience for donations. Whether conducting the audience in a Freudian choir or seamless improvising, all three hosts, including the cleverly ironic Tara Virgil, create a tight collegiate team.

Jade Kaiser kicks the absurdity into high gear as Juliet and Ophelia. Weaving ludicrously large stock gestures into her performance, Kaiser literally throws herself about the stage and through the 4th-wall, vomiting into purses and snickering at awkward Shakespearean phrasing. Similarly, Ryan Smith goes over-the-top as Gertrude. Speaking with an operatic female tone, Smith dashes about, swinging his ever-lowering fake breasts with slapstick punctuality. The final production of Hamlet is astounding in general. Combining demanding coordination with breakneck-speed, the ensemble never misses a beat as they deliver the hilarity backwards and forwards.

The set is comprised of lofty, layered, walls lined with Shakespearean quotations and a raked stage with the Bard's face center, allowing the players to literally and figuratively trample his work.

Evan Cusato's lighting excellently accents moments of action, drama, and ridicule, utilizing multicolored disco beams for the silly Othello Rap or red flashes to evidence tragedy.

Eligia Gonzales' costumes smash Elizabethan theater and modern teens together to create an amalgamation of doublets, tights, and hightop-converse.

Packed with silliness, sport, and some sincerity, Los Alamitos' "Complete Works of William Shakespeare Abridged" proves that brevity is indeed the hilarious soul of wit.

Elizabeth Neoman
Tri-School Theatre
Submitted for publication to OC Cappies Facebook

Shakespeare lives on in Los Alamitos High School's 'The Complete Works of William Shakespeare...Abridged.'

Los Alamitos High School tackles the hilarious "The Complete Works of William Shakespeare...Abridged." The fast-paced, comedic production brings Shakespeare to modern audiences and shows how Shakespeare's work is still relevant today.

"The Complete Works of William Shakespeare...Abridged" tells the story of a group of young performers who attempt to present all of Shakespeare's plays in one night; originally written for three actors, Los Alamitos utilizes twelve in their production. The actors combine all of Shakespeare's comedies, recount Othello in a rap, turn the histories into a giant football game and dissect each tragedy until every work is compressed.

Three narrators consistently move the show along and engage the audience. Keith Ahlstrom offers an adolescent perspective on Shakespeare. He connects well with the audience, which he demonstrates in a scene in which the other hosts desert him, nervously tossing gummy bears into his mouth and passing a note card around to the audience. Kayla Wiggs brings a studious element to the show as she enthusiastically explains the technicalities of Shakespearean theater and language. Tara Virgil brings a comedic element to the show with her sarcastic, witty humor. She shows her character's dry sense of humor by rolling her eyes apathetically and even insulting an audience member.

Jade Kaiser makes Juliet a comedic character as she exaggerates her movements, vomiting in the audience members' bags and as Ophelia, dramatically throwing herself on the ground. By contrast, Nikki Law, dramatizes Romeo's character and stands with dignified posture and outstretched arms to Juliet. Ellie Sims as Hamlet juxtaposes the drama of her character with the humor of the play and spruces up the "To Be or Not to Be" soliloquy with an amusing nervous breakdown. Ryan Smith is hilarious in his role of Gertrude, flailing his arms about and strutting across the stage.

The impressive set incorporates a traditional sloped stage adorned with popular quotes and scenes from Shakespeare's works. The different levels of the set guides where the action is happening and its multiple entrances appropriately match the chaos of the show. The lighting, designed by Evan Cusato, is precise and fitting. In a particular scene, where the characters are rapping Othello, the lights flash and immediately stop within a split second.

Los Alamitos impresses with its clever production of "Complete Works."