William Shakespeare's Long Lost First Play 3-5pm July 12, 19, and 26 Iao Theater
Maui OnStage presents the 2nd production of our 2026 Season - William Shakespeare's Long Lost First Play (abridged)
Written by: Reed Martin and Austin Tichenor
Originally produced by Reduced Shakespeare Company
Directed by Kristi Scott
Dates: 3 weekends Jul 10 to July 26, 2026 Fri and Sat at 7:30pm, Sun at 3pm
Historic Iao Theater in Wailuku
Tickets: $10 - $45
*CONTENT ADVISORY: In true Shakespearean fashion, this comedy may include comic violence, mild innuendo, bawdy humor, and the occasional rude word. Recommended for ages 10–13+, though parents know best.
Discovered in a treasure-filled parking lot in Leicester, England (next to a pile of bones that didn’t look that important), an ancient manuscript proves to be the long-lost first play written by none other than seventeen-year-old William Shakespeare from Stratford. (We are totally not completely making this up.)
WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE’S LONG LOST FIRST PLAY (abridged) is the literary holy grail: an actual manuscript in Shakespeare’s own hand showing all his most famous characters and familiar speeches in a brand-new story. But because it’s 100 hours long and contains multiple unwieldy storylines, it was decided, as a public service, to abridge it down to a brief and palatable 90 minute performance for this lost masterpiece.
“Something wickedly funny this way comes!” -- New York Times
“A breathlessly irreverent and pun-filled romp!” -- Washington Post
“Gloriously funny! Don’t miss it!” -- Ken Ludwig, author of Murder on the Orient Express, Lend Me a Tenor, and the book How to Teach Your Children Shakespeare
“A glorious mishmash of Shakespeare’s most famous lines and characters. Highly entertaining!” -- Napa Valley Register
Date: Sunday, July 12th, 2026 to Sunday, July 26th, 2026
Time: 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm
Cost: $10 - $45
Categories: Performing Arts / Musicals / Plays
Historic Iao Theater located at 68 N Market St, Wailuku, HI 96793 in Central Maui
Phone: 808-242-6969 Email: boxoffice@mauionstage.com, mauionstage.info@gmail.com Website: https://www.mauionstage.com
The Historic Iao Theater, built in 1928 in Wailuku, is a beloved Maui landmark and one of Hawaii's oldest theaters, renowned for its Spanish-Mission Revival architecture and rich cultural legacy. Originally designed as both a movie house and live performance venue, the Iao has hosted everything from Hollywood premieres to legendary USO shows with stars like Frank Sinatra and Bob Hope. Despite periods of decline and near closure, the Iao’s enduring presence-now listed on both the Hawaii and National Registers of Historic Places-reflects its importance as a gathering place for entertainment and community on Maui.
For Maui OnStage, the Iao Theater is more than just a venue; it is the heart of their mission to provide accessible, high-quality performing arts experiences for the island. After a devastating fire destroyed their previous home, Maui OnStage (formerly Maui Community Theater) found new life in the Iao, helping to restore and revitalize the historic space. Today, the Iao Theater stands as a vibrant hub for creativity, self-expression, and cultural enrichment, serving as a cornerstone for Maui's artistic community and a cherished symbol of resilience and aloha.
Contact: Heather Knowles Negaard Phone: 808-242-6969
Email: Website: https://mauionstage.thundertix.com/events/257443
