Shakespeare in the Mall

For the first time ever, the Commonwealth Classic Theatre Company will perform The Complete Works of William Shakespeare, Abridged inside a mall. 

The Commonwealth Classic Theatre Company usually performs at 11 outdoor venues with its Free Theatre in the Parks program. 

But now, Shakespeare will hit the Granite Run Mall on Monday, July 29 at 6:30 p.m. in the Center Court. No tickets are necessary and the performances are free. Seating for the two-hour performance is on a first come, first served basis.

This isn't your high school teacher's Shakespeare either, The Complete Works of William Shakespeare, Abridged is a comedy with a cast of three. 

Director M. Craig Getting said in a press release: “Everyone knows about Shakespeare. Your relationship to the Bard might be different than mine (it's totally okay if you don't love iambic pentameter like I do), but we all know about his plays, his sonnets, his affinity for frilly neck garments. What's fun about Complete Works, is how it takes that common knowledge and mutates it for comic effect. You don't need to know the plays to enjoy this show. The characters onstage certainly don't.”

Founding Producing Artistic Director Mary Ann Baldwin explained the company’s mission to take theatre to non-traditional spaces and to a mall for the first time.

"This year, for the first time, we will be in Granite Run Mall. While a mall venue might prove difficult for a full length Shakespearean production (not that we aren’t game to try), this particular play, with its irreverent and brash slapstick humor and pop culture references makes what is really an homage to The Bard, accessible to contemporary audiences. The mall is a cross-section of the local community and the very people who we want to make theater for, and anyone, no everyone, can enjoy this play," Baldwin said in a press release.

Aubrey Proud, director of marketing at Granite Run Mall, said in a press release, “We enjoy building relationships and partnerships with the local arts and education communities, and we look forward to future opportunities to host vital cultural events which benefit our community as a whole.”

Other events at the mall this summer include: 

• Sports Card and Autograph Show, August 3-4 
• Middletown Library Huge Book Sale, August 10-11

For more information, please contact Guest Services by calling 610-565-1654.