Sonoma Valley High grad Reed Martin brings back ‘Great Books'

Martin is the managing partner of the Reduced Shakespeare Company and he has adapted the “Great Books” show for an ensemble of 12 SRJC theater arts students.|

Reed Martin’s comedic play, “All the Great Books (Abridged),” returns to Sonoma County with a brief run at Santa Rosa Junior College. The play was co-written by Martin, SVHS class of ‘78, and Austin Tichenor. It presents brief, comedic renditions of the works of great writers and thinkers, like Confucius, Henry David Thoreau, Jonathan Swift and more.

Sonoma Valley High graduate Kindred Tatum is an assistant stage manager for the production. Adele Harrison grad Giselle Padilla is in the cast. Altimira Middle School grad Patty Olascoaga is also in the cast.

Martin is the managing partner of the Reduced Shakespeare Company and he has adapted the “Great Books” show for an ensemble of 12 SRJC theater arts students.

Raised in Sonoma Valley, Martin attended El Verano, Prestwood and Altimira schools before graduating as SVHS co-valedictorian. He earned a BA from UC Berkeley, an MFA in acting from UC San Diego, and is a graduate of Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Clown College. His resume boasts performing twice at the White House, as well as in Madison Square Garden, London’s West End, Off-Broadway in New York, and in 46 states and 11 countries. He has published nine scripts and three humorous non-fiction books. His wife Jane is the drama teacher at Sonoma Valley High.

Martin also co-created and has performed in the stage productions of “The Complete History of America (abridged),” “The Bible: The Complete Word of God (abridged),” “Western Civilization: The Complete Musical (abridged)” and “Completely Hollywood (abridged)” - and contributed to “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged).”

“It’s been a blast to adapt and update this show,” said Martin. “SRJC is one of the top theater training programs in the Bay Area and it’s been a privilege to work with such a talented and committed cast. I feel like it has given me the opportunity to share some of my comic craft with the next generation of performers.”

The show is recommended for ages 13 and up.

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