Community Shakespeare Company

ABOUT THE SCRIPTS

COMEDY OF ERRORS: first in the series of CSC Original Verse Adaptations, this script is the shortest (1 hour) and arguably the easiest for newcomers to Shakespeare. It freely "translates" the original text, while remaining utterly faithful to the characters, story, and spirit of the play The verse was described by one audience member as, "Shakespeare meets Dr. Seuss." Lots of great humor!

THE TAMING OF THE SHREW: second in the CSC series, with a running time of 1 hour and 15 minutes, and language just slightly more challenging than that found in COMEDY. This very funny adaptation is instantly accessible and up-to-date. One audience member observed: "With an accent on transformation of character rather than subservience to a master-husband, Katherina endured her punishments angrily, yet ended the play with a footlight speech so glowing and radiant that we were all transformed."

AS YOU LIKE IT: third in the series, this script takes a step up in difficulty and length (90 minutes). It also begins to incorporate more Elizabethan language, such as "thee" and "thou," along with expressions such as, "quoth I." Famous speeches, including, "All the world's a stage," are minimally adapted. This play also includes several of Shakespeare's original songs. Distinguished Professor M.E. Comtois writes of this adaptation: "I believe it is exactly what is needed to introduce Shakespeare to children. You found the language that can make the play funny to youngsters, but it also captures the lilt and flow of the words which will stay with them as they grow up."

THE TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA: this frequently overlooked, underproduced play is very funny, and like our edition of SHREW, mitigates what is socially/sexually rough around the edges in the original. This was the play featured in the movie, Shakespeare In Love, in which the producer observes of his audience: "Comedy, that's what they want. Comedy, and a bit with a dog." Great role for a dog in this play. Fourth in the CSC series; running time, 90 minutes. Language difficulty, moderate, like that in AS YOU LIKE IT.

A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM: because this is the Shakespeare play most often performed by youth, the adaptation is at once our most difficult and the easiest. Compared to the original text, it's easy, accessible and streamlined; the perfect script for anyone who is considering adapting the play for themselves. Compared to our own COMEDY OF ERRORS, the language in this play is a quantum leap ahead. Fifth in our series, with a running time of just over 80 minutes, this is the most user-friendly version of MIDSUMMER on the market.

MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING: sixth in the series, this perennial favorite features the war of wits between Beatrice and Benedick, Shakespeare’s funniest battling couple. It includes but does not emphasize the mistaken “adultery” issue which is central to the plot. With an emphasis on humor, including the hilarious Constable Dogberry, and only moderately challenging language, this adaptation runs 80 minutes without intermission.

THE TEMPEST: brand new in 2010, this adaptation extends the Community Shakespeare series beyond comedy. Arguably Shakespeare’s “farewell” play, this faithful rendering includes the “wizard,” Prospero, his innocent daughter Miranda, the faithful spirit, Ariel, and the ever-grumbling Caliban as residents of a deserted island. When Prospero’s former enemies sail past, he raises a storm which shipwrecks them, and begins to take his revenge. Comic characters soon lighten the mood, and all is forgiven when, “Our revels now are ended . . . .” Language is somewhat more difficult; running time is about 70 minutes.