Skip To Content
Cal Poly Pomona

PolyCentric University News Center

Main Menu
  • About Our University
  • Admissions
  • Academics
  • Campus Life
  • Athletics
  • Giving
  • Expand/Collapse Menu
Browse: Home / 2010 / February / Whirlwind History Lesson in 6,000 Seconds

Menu

  • About
    • Contact
    • Department of Strategic Communications
    • PolyCentric
  • News
    • Browse by Topic
    • View All Stories
    • In Memoriam
    • Archives
  • Achievements
  • Social Media Directory
  • Events
  • For the Media

Our PolyCentric web server is undergoing a technical migration and upgrade. A new website design is scheduled to launch in early 2024.

Whirlwind History Lesson in 6,000 Seconds

Posted on February 24, 2010

Whirlwind History Lesson in 6,000 Seconds

Theatre students Mauricio Soto, Robert Shields and Devin Caldarone perform in ???The Complete History of America ??? Abridged."

From Amerigo Vespucci to George W. Bush, “The Complete History of America – Abridged” is a high-energy, laugh-out-loud and at times offensive recap of the last 600 years. The theatre department’s winter quarter main stage production crams sketch comedy, slapstick, film noir, vaudeville and Japanese puppet theater into just under two hours.

The show begins with three students – Robert Shields, Mauricio Soto and Devin Caldarone – who discuss how the United States was formed. Along the way, they impersonate and poke fun of famous and not-so-famous figures, such as George Washington, Betsy Ross, Richard Nixon and a witch-hunting pastor in Salem. Each actor plays upwards of 15 characters, each with a different accent, affectation and costume.

“It’s almost like watching Saturday Night Live,” says director Bernardo Solano, assistant professor of theatre. “Lots of satire, lots of irony, lots of comedy.”


"The Complete History of America ??? Abridged??? combines sketch comedy, film noir, vaudeville and Japanese puppet theater to recap the last 600 years.

Although the play relies on slapstick and in-your-face comedy, it brings a strong point of view, Solano adds. The actors don’t shy away from controversy and confront issues of war, civil rights, terrorism, gay marriage, faith and education.

“This play gives credit to cultures that are part of the making of America. It takes Manifest Destiny to task and raises questions about the Native Americans and other disenfranchised people,” Solano says.

Opening night is Friday, Feb. 26 at 8 p.m. Other performance dates are Saturday, Feb. 27 at 8 p.m., March 4 at 8 p.m., March 3 at 10 a.m., March 5 & 6 at 8 p.m. and March 7 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $15 for general admission and $10 for students, seniors, faculty and staff. Pack the Theatre Night tickets on Feb. 27 are $5. For more information, visit www.class.cpp.edu/th/shows.

Posted in News | Tags act, acting, actors, Bernardo, comedy, director, drama, history, performance, play, rehearsal, show, Solano, students, The Complete History of America - Abridged, theater, theatre, theatre department
About Cal Poly Pomona Feedback Privacy Accessibility Document Readers

3801 West Temple Avenue,Pomona, CA 91768

©2021 California State Polytechnic University, Pomona

All Rights Reserved