A few lucky audiences have been treated to The Outfit's original Shakes-parody project Jester's Dead this summer in advance of some special plans this fall. On August 2, the New York Times took notice and recommend the final show of the summer.
“This critically acclaimed exercise in action-packed parody has a simple, happy formula: the classic ’80s flick “Top Gun” as it might have been interpreted by William Shakespeare.” -Megan Angelo
“This show begins with a delightful concept…and then executes it with the joyful craft only a sharp, tight theatrical ensemble can create. Everyone in the cast is terrific." -Best New York Comedy
Top Gun and Shakespeare? Thou speak'st aright. New York-based ensemble The Outfit re-imagines the classic Cruise flick in a theatrical parody packed with swordfights, songs and text from every play in Shakespeare’s canon. In this adrenaline-fueled mash-up, we’re going straight to the danger zone.
The 2011 production of Jester's Dead had a great fall run at the PIT in New York City, receiving praise from Joonbug.com, who wrote, "creators Rhett Henckel and Nat McIntyre showcase their ability to harness the language of Shakespeare for new audiences in what they call 'Shakesparody.'” DNAinfo.com picked up on the trend as well, writing "the dialogue is an intricate mash-up of fresh-from-the-film lines and classic iambic pentameter from Shakespeare's library of plays."