Ann Arbor Civic Theatre will present "A Bard by Any Other Name," a zany original comedy based on three of Shakespeare’s beloved plays, at the A2CT Studio Theater, at 322 W. Ann St. in Ann Arbor. Performances are October 19 at 8 p.m., October 20 at 2 and 8 p.m., and October 21 at 2 p.m. All tickets are $12 for general seating. For additional information, maps and directions, visit the A2CT website at www.a2ct.org or call the office at 734-971-2228.

In "A Bard by Any Other Name," local playwright and actor James Ingagiola re-imagines some of Shakespeare’s most famous plays in the style of iconic contemporary writers: "Hamlet" becomes a pause-intensive Pinteresque tragicomedy; "Two Gentlemen of Verona" gets roughed up in the style of David Mamet, and "Macbeth" becomes a Southern gothic tragedy under the influence of Tennessee Williams.

“I love James’ writing,” said director Amanda Barnett in a press release. “He has been writing plays for years, and I am thrilled to have the opportunity to direct his work. These adaptations are spot-on; James manages to get the style of each of the modern playwrights just right while lovingly preserving the story and undercurrents of the original Shakespeare text. The resulting plays are hilarious!”

The cast of "A Bard by Any Other Name" features Jeff Miller, Jarrod Cassar, Westcott Phoenix, Heather Liebal, Emily Sparrow, Charles Roth, Laura Tanner, and Katherine Altman.