Bible, The: The Complete Word of God (Abridged)

Some subjects are believed to be sacrosanct. To the historian it could be the history of the United States, to the scholar, probably the great works of literature; to the thespian it would be Shakespeare, and to the fervent Christian, it is The Bible. Thus, all these subjects are fodder for the writing and performing skills of The Reduced Shakespeare Company.

The Bible: The Complete Word of God (abridged) takes an oblique (according to some) look at this work, so sacred to many. And in the beginning was "Thus Spake Zarathustra" announcing the entrance of Adam and Eve, fig leaves in proper order. Shortly, thereafter, Abraham was informed by God of the necessity of the removal of foreskin. (Here is where a couple in audience exits!) Act I explores the vagaries of the Old Testament according to The Reduced Shakespeare Company's interpretation. Noah almost sinks. There are numerous begats, quickly establishing the various, if confusing, lineage of the key players.

Matthew Croke, Michael Faulkner and Reed Martin, fully costumed, play the key figures with comedic pleasure.

The troupe localize their humor. During an inaccurate reading of the ten commandments (all the stone tablets Moses could possibly carry), local personalities and events take on new meaning. Act II doesn't open, it sneaks up on the audience. Off stage the cast is discussing a golf game with Jesus and Moses, thereby bridging the Old and the New Testaments. Finally, the three Wise Men enter with shopping bags (all the best stores, of course) of goodies for the "newborn." Miraculously, Noah's Ark becomes a prominent portion of the New Testament, complete with ten audience members as pairs of animals. And what flood would be complete without the aid of spray bottles and super soakers?

The Reduced Shakespeare Company are equal opportunity offenders. Joseph has trouble with the whole immaculate-conception idea. The Psalms take a severe beating. The cast prove, beyond any doubt, that The Bible is filled with sex and begatting, violence and pestilence, and pillars of salt. I must say the audience was filled with heathens, which doesn't bode well for the minister I saw descending the grand staircase from the balcony. Everyone else was, quite literally, rolling in the aisles.