Summer season opens at Shadow Lawn Stage

WEST LONG BRANCH — "The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged)" opened the summer season of the Shadow Lawn Stage at Lauren K. Woods Theatre at Monmouth University on June 26.

The comedy written by Adam Long, Daniel Singer and Jess Winfield is an irreverent, fast-paced romp that parodies all of Shakespeare's 37 plays in 97 minutes.

The segments bear only a passing resemblance to Shakespeare's works, which are used as starting points for comic riffs.

"The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged)" run will continue July 2, 3, 9, 10, 11, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and on Sundays, July 5, 12 at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Conor McPherson's "Shining City," a mysterious Irish play about two people's searches for love, meaning and their places in the world, is next up opening July 17.

"Shining City" is set in Dublin, where a guilt-ridden man reaches out to a therapist after seeing the ghost of his recently deceased wife. Wrestling with his own demons, the therapist can only do so much to help. Routine visits between the two men quickly become a gripping struggle to survive, changing both of them for the rest of their lives.

Performances are July 17, 18, 23, 24, 25, 30, 31 and Aug. 1, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays, July 19, 26 and Aug. 2 at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Tickets are $25 adults/$20 seniors/$10 children through the box office at 732-263-6889 or the website www.monmouth. edu/shadowlawnstage.