Milwuakie’s New Century Players return with “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)”

New Century Players, a community theater group based in Milwaukie, returns this spring to the Rose Villa Performing Arts Center with a rollicking production of “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged).”.

The production is New Century Players’ first since the pandemic shut down live theater in 2020.

“The Complete Works” combines all 37 Shakespearean comedies, tragedies and histories into one 97-minute production.

NCP board member Tony Bump will direct the play that was written by Adam Long, Daniel Singer and Jess Winfield.

“The Complete Works” will mark NCP’s return to the Rose Villa stage. Later the group will make its debut at a new venue in Milwaukie.

“If you like Shakespeare, you’ll like this play, if you hate Shakespeare, you’ll love this play,” said NCP board secretary Ellen Spitaleri.

“The Complete Works” opens at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 23 at 13505 SE River Road in Milwaukie. The play continues at 7:30 p.m. on May 24, 25, 30 and 31, with 2 p.m. matinees on May 25 and June 1.

Performances continue at Odd Fellows Hall at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, June 7 and Saturday, June 8 and at 2 p.m. on Sunday, June 9. Odd Fellows Hall is located at 10282 SE Main St., Milwaukie.

Tickets are available at http://www.newcenturyplayers.org/ or by calling the box office at 503-367-2620. Tickets cost $25 for general admission, $20 for seniors and $10 for students.

“I’m excited that we’re going to show audiences something amusing and fun,” said Spitaleri. “We're back acting and producing. For a while there, we didn't know if we were ever going to get back in gear because of venues not being available.”

The theater company’s season continues with two staged readings later this year. “Arsenic and Old Lace” opens July 19 and “A Christmas Carol” opens Dec. 6.

For more information visit www.newcenturyplayers.org.