The illustrious history of the U.S.A. is a rich source for humorous material in The Complete History of America (abridged). The second work in the cannon of abridged works created by the Reduced Shakespeare Company (The Complete Works of William Shakespeare(abridged), the Complete History of America (abridged) follows the antics of cast members Mark, Thom and Brian – who have decided to divulge everything they know about the history of the country.  From the moment they step on stage and sing their version of the “Star-Spangled Banner,” the tone for the play is set.

The Complete History of America (abridged) bridges the gap between fact and funny while presenting interesting tidbits about how America has both evolved and devolved. Playing dozens of notable and surprising faces from our past, ranging from Amerigo Vespucci to George W. Bush, the actors show the audience how far we’ve come from the days of the colonies, our shared historical triumphs and failures, odd contradictions in our journey, and present audiences with a view of  what it truly means to be an American.

With some mild profanity and sexual innuendo (some of our characters are, afterall, political figures), this show is recommended for mature audiences. Topical references are more suited for mature patrons, though both high school and college students will appreciate this clever comedic romp.