‘The Complete History of America (Abridged)’ at the Barn Theater

Three actors twist themselves in knots

T his whimsical and irreverent play covers the founding of America up to the cold war, Vietnam and Watergate, and the New World Order and casts a somewhat humorous and critical eye on history, all in a total of about a 90 minute roller coaster of acts.

Opening night for “The Complete History of America (Abridged)” at the Barn Theater was Friday, Oct. 13, at 7:30 p.m. with evening performances on Oct. 14, 20, 21, 27 and 28, Sunday matinees on Oct. 15, 22 and 29 at 2:30 p.m. A Sunday brunch matinee is scheduled for Oct. 22, at 12:30 p.m.

Brunch reservations are required by Wednesday, Oct. 18, and the cost is $15 per person.

Written by playwrights Adam Long, Reed Martin and Austin Tichenor the play is full of wacky humor and will have you enthralled.

Actors Charles Hickinbotham, Buzz Piersol and Charlie Cuevas do a fantastic job with onstage gags, while managing over 200 props while conveying the gravitas and sometimes rip-roaring ideas and results from the glorious quagmire or splendid bog of American history.

Using surprising and hilarious parodies of historical events and talking about actions taken by American presidents, statesman, generals and inventors and famous people, the actors make fun and artfully give the audience an outline of the zaniness and strange tangents American history has taken while having a rip-roaring time.

Wendy Plaisted directs “American History (Abridged),” which will have the audience laughing all night long.

The entertainment never stops all evening with the audience participating often in the play, the actors talking directly to the audience and amongst themselves.

The cast and crew have worked tirelessly for three months learning the play, designing costumes, working on the minimalist set, while creating many props for countless scenes and effects.

Ambree Bough is the stage manager with crew Kallysta Tyler and Claire Kelly who help the actors behind scenes with their lighting fast costume and prop changes while Melanie Tyler has been in charge of the script prompting.

Set decoration and construction was by Wendy, Gordy and Ali Plaisted, and Charles Hickinbotham.

Lights and sound are managed by Crissy Bunch and Patrick Stricklin.

Wendy Plaisted designed the costumes and the cast and crew built all the props. Ali Plaisted painted the signage and Hickinbotham directed the play’s music.

Besides backstage help Kallysta Tyler arranged all choreography.

Ticket prices are $10 adults, $8 seniors, $5 students and under 12.