Shakespeare called himself "the bard" because "The Brad" was taken and that guy was like the coolest guy at Olde England Memorial High School. Learn more with this GrouponLive deal to see the Classical Theatre Project's performance of The Complete Works of the William Shakespeare, Abridged, part of their ShakesBeer series at Artscape Wychwood Barns. For $54, you get general admission for two and four beer samples (a $108 value). Doors open 60 minutes before showtime. This Groupon is valid for the following showtimes:

• Saturday, March 16, at 6:30 p.m.
• Saturday, March 16, at 9 p.m.
• Saturday, March 23, at 6:30 p.m.
• Saturday, March 23, at 9 p.m.

The Classical Theatre Project shatters modern preconceptions about the dryness of Shakespeare by staging The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged), which playfully zips through all 37 of the Bard's plays in less than 97 minutes. The pared-down storytelling reveals the archetypal resonances between the works while also making light of the prolific playwright's commonly recycled plot elements such as mistaken identity, dramatic deaths, and tyrannical kings who forced their courts to speak in iambic pentameter. The three-person cast engages patrons with high-energy interaction, tearing down the fourth wall with gleeful abandon to talk to audiences and pull show-goers into their madcap scenes.

As the trio catches its breath between clipped sonnets, audience members can take their own respite with four beer samples. Choices include craft brews such as Denison’s Weissbier and Wellington SPA.

Classical Theatre Project

Countless theatre troupes perform Shakespeare plays. But very few of them present them exclusively for young audiences. At Classical Theatre Project, the ensemble strives to make William Shakespeare’s work appealing and relevant to youth culture. Whether they’re mounting a traditional Elizabethan production or infusing new life into a script with unconventional concepts and spilled baby food on the pages, the company takes pride in getting young people excited about live theatre.

Artscape Wychwood Barns

Once a series of streetcar repair barns, Artscape Wychwood has transformed into a rustic yet modern space for theatre companies, visual artists, and philanthropic organizations. It’s all a part of the Artscape project, whose mission is to convert underutilized buildings into cultural meccas.