Irreverent Summer Shakespeare Comedy opens July 10 at ʻĪao Theater
Maui OnStage continues its 2026 Season with a breathlessly irreverent, pun-filled comic romp: William Shakespeare’s Long Lost First Play (abridged). Running from July 10 through July 26 at the Historic ʻĪao Theater in Wailuku, this hilarious production turns the Bard’s masterworks completely upside down.
Written by Reed Martin and Austin Tichenor (originally produced by the Reduced Shakespeare Company), the story opens on a satirical premise: an ancient manuscript discovered in a treasure-filled parking lot in Leicester, England, turns out to be the literal holy grail of literature; a premier play penned by a 17-year-old William Shakespeare. Because the original text is supposedly 100 hours long with a chaotic tangle of plotlines, a relentless cast of just three actors takes it upon themselves to weave all of the Bard’s most famous characters and iconic speeches into a fast-paced, highly palatable 90-minute performance.
Three Actors, Dozens of Characters – This high-wire act of comedic endurance relies entirely on the versatility of its powerhouse three-person cast. Audiences will watch Daniel Vicars, Isadora Drew, and Rocco Dahl frantically sprint through quick costume changes, split-second character transformations, and a glorious, fast-moving mishmash of literary history, slapstick humor, and unexpected crowd interaction.
Directed by Kristi Scott, the high-energy show masterfully blends classic theater with contemporary wit. A special warning has been issued for theatergoers selecting front-row seats: Row A (Seats 13-25) resides entirely within a designated “Splash Zone,” where audience members may find themselves caught in the crossfire of a brief but spirited water battle.
The production contains mild innuendo, comic violence, and bawdy humor, making it a perfectly timed summer comedy recommended for audiences ages 10 and up.
The 2026 Maui OnStage Season is generously sponsored by the Wave of Harmony Foundation in partnership with Marji Knowles and Michael Tibbott.
Performance Details:
- Dates: July 10-26, 2026
- Times: Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. | Sundays at 3 p.m.
- Location: Historic ʻĪao Theater, 68 N. Market St, Wailuku
- Tickets: $10 – $45
Tickets are available now online at MauiOnStage.com or can be purchased directly at the box office at the Historic ʻĪao Theater.
Sponsored Content
