'A Complete History of America' at SHS

The Auditorium is filled with an assortment of sights and sounds in preparation for the Theater Arts Department’s latest production.  An enormous colonial flag graces the stage alongside a YMCA stylized Mount Rushmore set piece, while in the background one can hear cast members singing a variation on the National Anthem that includes a set of giant cymbals.  What show contains such a level of history, farce, and quirkiness? The Complete History of America (abridged), a 90 minute whirlwind comedy of American history that will be presented at Syosset High School the weekend of November 17th.

Hailed as “hysterical as it is historical” and “frequently ingenious” by critics, The Complete History of America (abridged) is sure to entertain.  The comedy showcases the actors as themselves, taking on the roles of various historical figures as times moves on.  To commence, the cast starts out with the original thirteen colonies, performing a rap about their creation.  The writing of the Constitution and Bill of Rights is later on display, where a brainstorming Benjamin Franklin proposes a Bill of Wrongs as a companion piece to the Bill of Rights, a list which will prove amusing to all.  Lewis and Clark make their entrance with dance and song, scandals such as Abraham Lincoln’s assassination and the Watergate Scandal are humorously explored, and of course America’s greatest and latest presidents are both praised and teased.

Lisa Minkoff, a junior at the high school, says that Complete History “is absolutely hilarious. It's written so meticulously that almost every line is some sort of satirical comment. Being a part of the show with such a talented cast is a privilege in and of itself, but having a fantastic piece to work with is the icing on the cake.”       

"The way the show teaches history may be a bit unconventional,” adds Garrett Heller, also a junior. “But with the number of witty and memorable historical references, I'm hopeful that it will help me in my United States History studies this year!”

Show times for The Complete History of America (abridged) are Thursday, November 17th at 7:00PM, Friday, November 18th at 7:30PM, and Saturday, November 19th at 7:30PM; tickets are $7 each.   Potential patrons should also be aware that due to its irreverent tone some mature language is used in the show and may not be appropriate for younger viewers.