Preview of Complete History of America (Abridged)

By John Farrell

Just when you have had enough serious campaigning, lies and spin control to last you through two or three presidential elections, the Torrance Theatre Company comes to your rescue.

You don’t have to listen to politicians tell you what may be half-truths and lies. Instead, you can see The Complete History of America (Abridged) and let professional actors, who have actual experience, do all the lying. They, after all, have plenty of experience.

Director Gia Jordahl takes her audience on a fast-paced history (400 years in less than 2 hours). You might learn something from this comic farago: then again you might not. And all that you do learn may be how bad all the jokes were in 1805. But at least you won’t be listening to radio and TV ads for two hours, and that is worth the price of admission.

The Complete History of America, Abridged comes to you from the same writers who brought The Complete Works of William Shakespeare, Abridged, to the stage, Adam Long, Reed Martin and Austin Tichenor, and if Shakespeare is better comedy, maybe it is because it was all originally written by one man.

Kyle Maloney, Craig Shields and Matthew David-Smith are the three frenetic and capable actors who are engaged in this spoof of American history, from Amerigo Vespucci, who gave the county its name, to presidential candidates currently in those debates. (Look at the picture and guess who gets to be Barack Obama.) Not all the material is terrific, but the slapstick and the rapid costume changes make up for some of the more elderly jokes.
This is the perfect antidote to election-itis, and we all need help with that.

Tickets are $25, $22 for seniors, $15 for students. Performances are at 8 p.m. Oct. 19, 20, 25, 26 and 27, and at 2 p.m. Oct. 28, at the Torrance Theatre Co.
Details: (424) 243-6882; www.FriendsofTCC@gmail.com
Venue: Torrance Theatre Company
Location: 1316 Cabrillo Ave., Torrance