The cast of “Happy Birthday, Mr. Shakespeare” takes their first bow during opening night at The Acting Company in Yuba City on March 28. This original production will run weekends until April 20. Photo courtesy of The Acting Company

YUBA CITY, CA (MPG) – “Happy Birthday, Mr. Shakespeare” opened this past weekend at The Acting Company in Yuba City and is an original, high-energy production written and directed by Matt and Lauren Coats. The two veteran thespians developed the show over years of performing together at Renaissance Festivals, and their comedic chemistry and deep love of Shakespeare’s works shine throughout.

“We originally performed all the parts ourselves,” said Lauren Coats. “This is the first time we’ve divided it up among a cast for a local stage production.”

This premiere features the talents of Matt and Lauren Coats alongside Ben Little, Megan Shearer, Camari Domingue, and stage manager Sue Justus. Little, a relatively new face in the theater scene, nearly stole the show with his dual portrayals: the nerdy Malvolio from Twelfth Night and a blustering suitor vying for Bianca’s affection in The Taming of the Shrew.

Audiences were visibly charmed by his onstage versatility, and his grasp of iambic pentameter no doubt reflects the guidance of his seasoned directors.

So what exactly is “Happy Birthday, Mr. Shakespeare”?

In short, it’s a raucous, reverent tribute to the man often considered the greatest literary artist of all time. The show blends slapstick Renaissance antics, clever local history tie-ins, and audience participation, all while educating viewers on the life, lore, and legend of William Shakespeare.

Historical anecdotes segue into scene reenactments, only to devolve delightfully into witty banter and the occasional knock-knock joke. While best appreciated by those familiar with the Bard’s works, even newcomers will enjoy the show’s high-octane energy, swashbuckling silliness, and unrelenting comedic enthusiasm.

“We wanted to make it accessible for everyone and plan to offer this production to other companies for low or no-cost royalties in the future,” said Lauren Coats.

Indeed, the play shows real promise as an educational tool for high schools and junior colleges. Along with scenes from The Taming of the Shrew and Twelfth Night, the show covers iconic moments from Romeo and Juliet, As You Like It, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

Threaded throughout is a deeper reflection on the role of women in theater. The performance crescendos in a powerful monologue from Henry V, delivered with emotional heft by Camari Domingue.

“This was meant to reflect the women of the suffragette’s movement who were inspired by Shakespeare’s characters and used them to showcase their own diversity and strength,” Coats explained.

While poignant, some of these critical themes were a bit rushed in the show’s fast-paced format. The production mentions that women were originally barred from Shakespearean roles but misses a chance to highlight the historic debut of Margaret Hughes, the first professional to appear on the English stage, famously playing Desdemona in the 1660 production of “Othello.” There’s also untapped potential in playing with gender-bending humor—particularly with roles like Viola from Twelfth Night, traditionally a man playing a woman pretending to be a man.

Here is the Cast of “Happy Birthday, Mr. Shakespeare,” written and directed by Matt and Lauren Coats. Photo Courtesy of The Acting Company

Still, the comedic moments are plentiful. One could almost believe Shakespeare was solely a comic playwright, as the show doesn’t delve much into the Bard’s darker, more tragic works. That said, attempting to condense the scope of Shakespeare’s repertoire into a two-hour theatrical romp is no easy feat. “Happy Birthday, Mr. Shakespeare” makes a valiant effort, delivering a genre-bending, age-defying literary roller coaster.

Even more impressive? The production lost one of its actors just weeks before opening night. Matt and Lauren Coats covered the gap seamlessly, a testament to their long history performing this piece as a duo.

“We want it to feel like an improvised show, even though it’s not,” said Matt Coats.

The set is simple yet effective, drawing inspiration from the architecture of Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre. Antique trunks overflow with props and quick-change costume pieces, allowing the action to flow smoothly through the eras. A standout moment is the 30-minute puppeted adaptation of The Taming of the Shrew, which had the audience in stitches.

Overall, the show is a delight. Audience members left amused and surprised by how quickly two hours had passed.

The general consensus? “Not what we were expecting,” in the best possible way.

“Happy Birthday, Mr. Shakespeare” will run weekends until April 20. During performances, guests can peruse custom Shakespeare-themed art pieces, which will be auctioned off at The Bard’s Ball on April 26, a fundraising gala for The Acting Company. The production is the second show in The Acting Company’s 2025 season, chosen for its alignment with the theme of “Love, Laughter & Legends."

Shakespeare, without question, is a legend of the stage and fittingly, Matt and Lauren Coats began their own legendary theatrical journey as a couple on The Acting Company’s stage over 20 years ago.

“We wanted to get this show out there and we gave The Acting Company first right of refusal,” joked Lauren Coats. “Thankfully, they didn’t refuse!”

The Acting Company is located at 815 B St. in Yuba City. For ticket inquiries, contact the box office at (530) 751-1100 during operating hours. Additionally, tickets can be purchased by calling (530) 682-5324. For more information, visit its official website at actingcompany.org.