Some people can say they’ve seen performances of all of William Shakespeare’s plays. But how many can say they’ve seen them all in one evening? The University Theatre Players at the University of Missouri-Rolla are teaming with the Ozark Actors Theatre to present a humorous play that will give the audience the chance to do just that.

‘The Compleat Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged),’ a fast-paced, hilarious romp that covers — or at least mentions — all 37 of Shakespeare’s plays, and a couple of his sonnets, will be performed at 8 p.m. Friday, May 23, and Saturday, May 24, at the Ozark Actors Theatre, 701 N. Cedar St. in Rolla.

Tickets for the performance are $10 for adults and $5 for UMR students and those age 18 and under. Tickets are available in Room 127 of Castleman Hall on the UMR campus and from Kent Jewelry, 110 W. 8th St. in Rolla. Tickets will be available at the door on the nights of the performance.

"The Rolla Shakespeare Co. (actually the UMR Theatre players) will give you a night you’ll never forget," says John Woodfin, instructor of philosophy and liberal arts at UMR and director of UMR’s University Theatre Players. "With a laugh every 3.5 seconds — yes, we counted — you will be rolling in the aisle before the end of the evening."

It canIt be done, you say? "Well, it is a challenge to stuff all 37 plays into less than two hours, but we have done it," Woodfin says.

It isnIt even necessary for audience members to know anything about Shakespeare to enjoy the performance. "Not the stuffy subject you may remember from English class, this play makes Shakespeare accessible to all. Albeit, an intellectual analysis and presentation this ain’t," says Woodfin. "Bring your sense of humor with you."

The following UMR students will perform in the production: Chuck Williams, a sophomore in physics from Poplar Bluff, Mo., Jeff Loeffler, a sophomore in applied mathematics from Fenton, Mo., Ryan Irvin, a sophomore in architectural engineering from Mt. Vernon, Ill., and Julio Montes, a senior in electrical engineering from Kansas City, Mo.

Woodfin says the play is intended for a PG-13 audience.