Who Wrote Shakespeare?

Don’t know your Bacons from your Marlowes, your deVeres from your Rutlands? Fear not. We addressed the so-called “Authorship Question” in our 2006 book, Reduced Shakespeare: The Complete Guide for the Attention-Impaired (abridged), outlining all the major candidates and computing the odds that someone other than Shakespeare actually wrote his keen plays and nifty sonnets. The answer may surprise you! This episode features the entire text of Chapter Five, “Who Wrote This Stuff?”, and offers iconoclasm and mischief-making, scandalous scholarship, wild supposition, equally unlikely possibilities, and a little thing we like to call “logic.” (Length 29:34)

Bringing Back Comedy

The original cast (pictured, left to right: Reed Martin, Dominic Conti, and Austin Tichenor) returns to The Complete History of Comedy (abridged) for performances this April and July of 2023 and they discuss how both the show and their performances have changed; how different people can get away with different jokes; the value of bashing away at the material; the audacity of comparing ourselves to Shakespeare; how it’s our most autobiographical show; what it’s like to act with other companies like Chicago’s Goodman Theatre and San Francisco’s American Conservatory Theatre; fixing certain punchlines; and a special appearance from Grammy Award-winning comedian “Weird Al” Yankovic! (Length 18:49)

Remembering Princess Diana

In celebration of the RSC Podcast’s 15th Anniversary, artistic directors Reed Martin and Austin Tichenor remember the surreal week they spent performing The Bible: The Complete Word of God (abridged) at the Gielgud Theatre in London in the wake of the death of Diana, Princess of Wales. Featuring memories of how the country came together; how all the performing arts suffered at the box office; how we were the only West End show to perform during Diana’s funeral; how news traveled via Town Crier; the joy of meeting Bernard Shaw (not George Bernard Shaw); and how something always happens when we perform in London. (Length 18:17)

Drawing On Shakespeare

Drawing on Shakespeare is a 16-episode webseries hosted by Austin Tichenor and the ridiculously talented Gary Andrews, where we talk about Shakespeare with witty, wonderful, and wise people while Gary draws what we’re talking about. As a possible second season/series gets closer, Gary and Austin remember how Drawing on Shakespeare began, discuss how different actors bring new meaning to a character; how every conversation leads to new insights about a play; how Puck from A Midsummer Night’s Dream can be like Keith Richards; and how audience figures are staggering into the several. (Length 17:40)

The Devil’s Work

Demons and witches and ghosts, oh my! As we reach our 666th podcast, it seems like the perfect time to talk about how the Devil has influenced (or hasn’t) the work of the Reduced Shakespeare Company. Reed Martin and Austin Tichenor discuss Faustian bargains; Satan being cut from The Complete History of America (abridged); rewriting The Music Man; Adam Long’s tribute to two legends in his one-man show Satan Sings Mostly Sondheim; the fear of mockery; our Kerfuffles in Northern Ireland; making friends in Louisiana; stories for another time; how times have changed; celebrating the Devil’s opposite in The Bible: The Complete Word of God (abridged); making up for missed opportunities with episode 420; and hopefully soon-to-be requited love for our book How The Bible Changed Our Lives (Mostly For The Better). (Length 21:55)

Episode 575. Northern California Fires

Lifelong Sonoma, California resident Reed Martin was forced to evacuate his home in October, along with his family and thousands of others, because of the devastating wildfires that destroyed almost 250,000 acres, killing at least 44 people and hospitalizing at least 185. Reed discusses what it was like to be surrounded by the seventeen separate wildfires that raged through six counties and threatened property, people, animals, and businesses, such as the famous Sonoma and Napa wineries, and reveals what one does when faced with sudden and oncoming danger, the feeling of constantly (still!) being on high alert, how you can help our actor Dodds Delzell, and trying to look on the bright side of future wine harvests. (Length 15:51) 

Episode 466. Creating ‘Improv Zombies’

”Creating shows using improv is not something the RSC does, but Reed Martin has used the Second City model to devise with his students a new show called Improv Zombies From Hell at Napa Valley College. With one weekend left in the run, Reed talks about how the show came together, using Read more…

Episode 460. Remembering Yogi Berra

”If Yogi Berra hadn’t existed, some writer would have had to create him. Arguably one of the greatest catchers, and certainly the greatest character to ever play the game, Yogi died recently at the age of 90 and in addition to being one of the greatest players to ever play Read more…

Episode 424. Comedy’s Seriously Funny

”Austin Tichenor talks about The Complete History of Comedy (abridged) with Julie Motz, host of Arts Desire on KWMR in Point Reyes, California. Featuring some great laughs, “incisive political commentary,” surprising poignancy, a terrible hint about the RSC’s next show, a special appearance by Adrian Scarborough (who’s busy in LA shooting this), and finally the best reason Read more…

Episode 403. The Reston Extravaganza

”Reed Martin and Austin Tichenor announce an unprecedented event: The Complete Works of the Reduced Shakespeare Company (abridged) Extravaganza, produced by the Reston Community Center in Reston, VA, from September 12-21, 2014: seven shows in ten days, appearances from past and present members of the RSC, workshops, special performances, talkbacks, live Read more…

Episode 372. There’s Always One

”Even in the middle of a hugely successful run like we had at Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park (where our production of The Complete History of Comedy (abridged) sold more single tickets than any production in their 2014-2015 season except for A Christmas Carol), there will be at least one Read more…

Episode 361. A Comedian’s Prayer

”Reed Martin, Dominic Conti, and Austin Tichenor take a break from rehearsing the world premiere of The Complete History of Comedy (abridged) at Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park. The boys talk about how it’s going and share typical rehearsal room antics, excerpts from the show, a discussion of fools both Shakespearean Read more…

Episode 356. Meeting The King

”We find cool stories wherever we go and sometimes we’re able to turn the microphone on to capture and share them. This week, Reed Martin talks to his student Kathy Myers, who describes the times she met Elvis Presley as a (way-too) young girl. Featuring amazing Elvis impressions, good smoking hygiene, Read more…

Episode 333. My Willy Matters

”Happy Death-And-Day-We’ve-All-Agreed-To-Accept-As-Your-Birthday, Willy! In honor of William Shakespeare turning the big 4-4-9, we gather a mighty quorum, fully eleven-thirds of the Reduced Shakespeare Company, to discuss the Bard’s lasting influence, his greatest interpreters, and amazing bowling prowess. Featuring shout-outs to great Shakespeareans, dares to teenagers, how you can probably speak more Read more…

Episode 329. History of Comedy

”Playwrights Reed Martin and Austin Tichenor discuss their eighth “Complete (abridged)” collaboration The Complete History of Comedy (abridged), which will have its Reduced Shakespeare Company world premiere at the Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park in November 2013. Reed and Austin talk about what the show is going to be, how Read more…

Episode 328. Our Reduced Workshops

”In addition to performing our shows around the world, we teach theatre workshops in many of the various communities where we appear. This week we talk about the various workshops we offer and discuss the importance of listening, how you can book a Reduced Shakespeare Company Workshop in your community, Read more…

The Complete World of Sports (abridged)

March Madness! April Absurdity!

The Complete World of Sports (abridged)After a brief time-out, the Reduced Shakespeare Company take to the field once again with The Complete World of Sports (abridged). Whoop and holler and hurl your hotdog as we attempt to reduce every sport in the history of the world – from archery to wrestling, from basketball to bocce ball, from championship chess to professional ping-pong and everything in between! 3,477.3 sports reduced into one mad dash to the finish line! Impossible! No WAY, you say! YES way, say we! We have been training literally minutes for this! Bring your poms poms to: (more…)

The Ultimate Christmas Show (abridged)

“Critic’s Choice!” Boston Globe. “Brought down the house with gales of laughter.” Theatre Mirror. The fruitcakes of the Reduced Shakespeare Company take you on an irreverent yet heartwarming trip through the holidays in The Ultimate Christmas Show (abridged). It’s festive funny physical family fun as these Three Wise Guys send-up Read more…

Episode 308. Thoughts For Publicists

”You can’t really call us “publicity whores” because we don’t charge for it, we give it away! (We will answer, however, to “publicity sluts“.) But there’s a handful of things we’d prefer to avoid and/or not do, so this week Reed Martin and Austin Tichenor outline a series of thoughts and Read more…

Episode 305. Casting The Candidates

”Who cares whether Barack Obama or Mitt Romney would make a better president? The important question is, which one would make a better member of the Reduced Shakespeare Company? Reed Martin, Dustin Sullivan, and Austin Tichenor discuss the candidates (and all their presidential predecessors) in terms of how well they Read more…

Vote Early! Vote Often!

Hear ye! Hear ye! This just in! The Special Election Edition of The Complete History of America (abridged) is coming! The show has been performed at the Kennedy Center, the Lincoln Center and many other centers not named for dead Presidents. It ran for almost ten years in London. Heck, we’ve even performed it at Read more…

Happy Merry Chrismakwanukkahanzakah!

Ready for some holiday cheer? Don’t miss the first National Tourof The Ultimate Christmas Show (abridged) coming to Reston VA, Charlotte, Fort Worth, San Diego, St. Louis and Anchorage! Take a look. Last season The Ultimate Christmas Show (abridged) broke box office records, so buy your tickets early. Don’t miss the show that was a Boston Globe “Critic’s Choice” and Read more…

London 2012

We won the Gold! The comic Gold, that is. The RSC took the UK by storm this summer – take a look. After a five-week tour of the regions, we settled in for an exciting six-week run of The Complete World of Sports (abridged) at the Arts Theatre in London which coincided with the London Olympics. Read more…

Episode 282. We Get Notes

”Every actor gets ’em; this week we get ours. After a recent performance of The Complete World of Sports (abridged), we met in a crowded noisy bar in Santa Rosa, California with Dodds Delzell, Chad Yarish, and April George, all of whom worked on the original production of the script. Read more…

Episode 281. Guilty Theatrical Confessions

”Ever have the feeling that the thing everyone says is so awesome you just don’t ‘get’? Join the club. This week, we share our blasphemous opinions about plays, musicals, lionized authors and composers we can’t believe we’re saying out loud. Featuring heretical dismissals, casual disregard, unsupportable claims, and a special Read more…

Episode 278. Home Field Disadvantage

”Most of our performances are Away games, but every couple of years we get to play a Home game. It’s almost always a mixed blessing and this most recent performance at the Sebastiani Theatre was more mixed than most. Featuring swamp coolers, detachable bathroom doorknobs, hand-lowered chandeliers, ghosts in the machines, Read more…

Episode 274. How We Tour

”LIVE! from US Interstate Highway 91, en route from Stowe VT to Reston VA, we talk about how touring has changed over the years, sometimes for the better and sometimes not. Featuring unpaid endorsements, tips on long-drive-time-killing, unauthorized Michael Faulkner taunting, a special appearance by 20-year Apple Media Propulsion Engineer Read more…

Episode 273. Audition Glory Stories

”Audition glory this week, both the ones we won and the ones that got away. We share tales of auditions that went spectacularly well and gloriously bad, and talk about how to shake it off, survive in the room, and live to audition another day. Featuring disasters, success stories, a Read more…

OMG! RSC in NYC, PDQ!

The Complete World of Sports (abridged)

It Might Be the BIG Apple… but there’s a REDUCED price! (Available only for a SHORT time)

The Reduced Shakespeare Company returns to The New Victory Theater (New York’s theater for kids and families… and those who refuse to act their age) for a three week run of The Complete World of Sports (abridged). Austin, Matt and Reed are ready to once again tackle life’s big questions: Is bowling really a sport? Who invented curling? How DOES one get to the Subway Series?

The New Vic is running a special offer for RSC fans who step up to the plate now: 15% off any performance, any seat if purchased by Oct 21st. (more…)

Episode 251. After It’s Written

”What does a playwright do after the script is completed? We have no idea. But we know what WE do with our “Complete (abridged)” scripts after they’re written. Featuring the value of opinions from the right people, the value of casting the right people, and the value of knowing when Read more…

Episode 250. Martin & Tichenor

”Which comes first: the lyrics or the melody? Who writes the funny stuff and who creates the structure? Playwriting team Reed Martin and Austin Tichenor reveal these and other secrets as they talk about who brings what to the table when creating their seven (and counting) “Complete (abridged)” scripts. Featuring Read more…

RSC, RSC in NY, NY

New Yorkers love their sports and they love their theater. So look out Big Apple! The Reduced Shakespeare Company will combine NYC’s two favorites pastimes when they return to the New Victory Theatre from October 21 – November 6 with The Complete World of Sports (abridged). Hey, they’ll be playing Read more…

RSC on NPR

While performing The Complete World of Sports (abridged) at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC this summer the RSC boys spoke with Neil Conan on National Public Radio’s “Talk of the Nation.” Comic hijinx ensued. Listen and you just might be amused. Listen >

Episode 246. 30th Anniversary Continued

”Reed Martin and Austin Tichenor reunite with Daniel Singer, Jess Winfield, and Sa Winfield in Part Two of the highlights from our 30th Anniversary Webcast. (Part One can be heard here.) Featuring tales of strange opening acts, personal meltdowns, fantastic timing from Japanese monsters, why our company initials were briefly SSC, Read more…

Our First Live Webcast!

Current RSC members Reed Martin and Austin Tichenor are joined by founding members Daniel Singer and Jess Winfield – and original props goddess Sa Winfield – as they celebrate the 30th anniversary of the very first performance by those upstarts from California, the Reduced Shakespeare Company. Join in Monday August Read more…

Episode 242. We Have Consensus!

”We review the reviews we’ve received for The Complete World of Sports (abridged) and delight in reading the raves and criticizing the critics. Featuring “childlike glee,” an obscure Andy Griffith/Don Knotts reference, “delicious anarchy,” a special appearance by Neal Conan from National Public Radio, and our “usual lack of shame”. WARNING: CONTAINS Read more…

The Complete World of Sports (abridged)

Washington DC – We Have a Consensus!

The Complete World of Sports (abridged)
Folks in Washington DC don’t agree on much this summer. But they are unanimous in their delirious enjoyment of the DC premiere of  The Complete World of Sports (abridged) at the Kennedy Center Terrace Theatre.  Here’s what the critics have to say:

Washington Post: “The pacing and timing are crackerjack. It’s hard not to grin all night, so give ’em a medal: Who’s gonna beat their time in a comic sprint?” Read Review

Washington Examiner: “Delicious anarchy.” Read Full Review

(more…)

Episode 240. Final ‘Hollywood’ Thoughts

”On the night of our final performance of Completely Hollywood (abridged) at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC, we reflect on how it’s changed and matured, its uniquely high level of absurdity, its surprising number of character laughs, and whether we’ll ever perform it again. Featuring a special appearance by Read more…

Episode 239. DC For Kids

”We love playing the Kennedy Center in Washington DC in the summer because we get to bring our kids. This week we find out what’s fun to do in DC if you’re a kid, and discover zip line safety tips, the semi-permanence of temporary exhibits, gateway card games, a special Read more…

The Complete World of Sports (abridged)

RSC on MYFOXDC!

In case you have NOT been glued to your TV watching MyFox DC, never fear – the Reduced Shakespeare Company can be seen here! Or better yet, come down to the Kennedy Center and experience all the gags and glory – live! Holly Morris – Reduced Shakespeare Company: MyFoxDC.com

Episode 235. Mile High Podcast

”LIVE! from Air New Zealand flight #2 from Auckland to Los Angeles. It’s a media circus as our in-flight recording session is interrupted by a film crew documenting Air New Zealand’s new staff uniforms. Featuring travel ritual revelations, important safety tips, a few unfortunate skips in the recording, and the Read more…

Episode 231. A Hearty Bookfest

”We made our second straight appearance at the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books, reading from Reduced Shakespeare: The Complete Guide for the Attention-Impaired (abridged), All The Great Books (abridged), Completely Hollywood (abridged), and The Complete World of Sports (abridged). Featuring crazy live laughter, ambient traffic noise, a special appearance Read more…

Episode 229. Our Christmas Show

”Reed Martin & Austin Tichenor announce the RSC’s eighth stage show (which premieres at Merrimack Repertory Theatre in November 2011) and discuss why the show was chosen and what will go into its creation. Featuring how much material from our Christmas CD will be re-gifted, how to walk that line Read more…

Episode 225. Sophomoric, N’est-ce Pas?

”On our drive across America’s heartland, we pass the time debating the highs and lows of high and low comedy. Featuring definitions of the word sophomoric; celebrations of satire; a special appearance by legendary Pulitzer Prize-winning sports photographer Stan Grossfeld; a sexy, sensual, and smooth station ID for Lush 99.5 Read more…

Episode 215. Touring In January

”It was a week right out of Planes, Trains, & Automobiles as we attempted to dodge winter storms. Reed Martin, Austin Tichenor, Matt Rippy, and stage manager Elaine Randolph regale us with tales of canceled flights and performances, lost luggage and personnel, impromptu trains, rescheduled hotels, and rerouted trunks. Featuring Read more…

Episode 214. Big Year Ahead

”Join us for a quick preview of our upcoming 2011 tour dates. Featuring expert advice on how to get the RSC booked in a venue near you, some unacceptably teasing hints, a special appearance by Christopher Rawson, the chairman of the American Theatre Critics Association, and horrible and unforgivable butchering Read more…