Anticipated to be the funniest and most outrageous show performed on stage, “The Complete History of America: Abridged,” performed by the Cabrini College Theatre, is sure to be a spectacle uncommon for Cabrini playgoers.
The satire is about 90 minutes long, with 22 scenes and 165 props used throughout the play.
“It’s a very zany take on American history from the beginning to the present, but is also, underneath all the craziness and comedy, a lot of accuracy about American history. It’s really a crazy, funny, kind of wild evening,” Dr. Thomas Stretton, assistant professor of education and director of Cabrini College theatre, said.
“The Complete History of America: Abridged” is a fast-paced play that moves from one part of history to another. The play makes fun of people like George Washington and George W. Bush and satirizes controversial issues like the Watergate scandal.
The goal of the show is to not only give the audience an accurate timeline of historical events, but to have fun while doing it. Nothing is off-limits in this play.
“This play is a spoof on American history, just taking a comedic look from the exploration of North America through the present day,” Shannon Winters, senior English secondary education major, said.
The play was originally written and performed by Adam Long, Reed Martin and Austin Tichenor. However, 11 of Cabrini’s actors will be taking the stage as an ensemble to perform the various different characters from history.
“Everybody has a whole host of roles because we are running back and forth all the time playing various characters or various scenes, there is no specific lead in this show. It is more of an ensemble cast,” Joe Kinpflen, senior political science and history major, said.
The play is a series of vaudeville sketches that are expected to have the audience full of laughter.
“This show is an outrageous comedy. Some of the critics, where it is played, have said it’s like the ‘Daily Show,’ being hosted by the Marx brothers,” Stretton said.
“The Complete History of America: Abridged” will debut tonight on Nov. 5. at 8 p.m. Students, faculty, parents and friends will also be able to enjoy the play on Nov. 5, 6, 7, 12, 13 and 15 in the Cabrini College Theatre in Grace Hall. The tickets are free.
The actors of the play have high hopes for the show and urge everyone to come out and see the performance.
“Come ready to laugh and prepare to be offended, if you are easily offended because it is not politically correct. It’s very funny, but it is definitely not politically correct,” Kinpflen said.