The irreverent Reduced Shakespeare Company will be performing two shows, The Complete History of America (abridged) and All the Great Books at the Kennedy Center’s Terrace Theatre this July. Tickets start at $40.

For the unfamiliar RSC got its start in London with The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) a slapstick retelling of the bard’s plays in a couple of hours. The American company, a three man troupe, followed and they have been touring nationally for many years, making the Kennedy Center a regular stop along the way. They treat each new subject with the same respect they gave Shakespeare.

I enjoyed both of the shows at the Kennedy Center previously. If you can only see one, I would go with The Complete History of America (abridged).

Oh and that other Shakespeare Company is here for a few more weeks and there is some other place that occasionally has some Shakespeare performances.