Pahrump Valley High School’s theatre arts director, Dr. Audra Duvall, is gearing up to bring a unique and lively production to the stage this November: The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged, Revised, Again). This ambitious dinner theatre promises laughter, interactive performances, and a touch of sophistication, all while supporting the school’s arts program.
This year’s production is a collaborative effort between the theatre and culinary programs. Though scheduling conflicts have occasionally made such partnerships challenging in the past, Dr. Duvall is thrilled to see it come together now. “We’ve tried to align these programs before,” she explains. “This time, with a new culinary instructor who shares my ‘let’s just go for it’ mindset, it finally worked out. The kids have really run with it.”
The dinner theatre will offer one dinner show and one brunch performance, with dates ranging from November 1 through November 9. Dr. Duvall mentions that the expanded schedules and overlapping student participation in both culinary and theatre reflect the growth and enthusiasm in both programs. “A lot of the students are involved in both programs, so we’re seeing these fun little conflicts—everyone wants to do everything!”
The play, a comedic twist on Shakespeare’s collective works, is both contemporary and bold. Dr. Duvall provides a fair warning: “It’s hilarious, but mildly inappropriate. It’s not exactly a show for young kids, and we’ve set the prices accordingly to reflect that.” The proceeds from ticket sales will support the theatre’s spring production of Steel Magnolias, with Dr. Duvall encouraging attendees to return for multiple viewings: “It’s going to be gangbusters.”
All-Male Cast Adds a Unique Element
In a creative twist, the fall production features an all-male cast, while the spring production of Steel Magnolias will showcase an all-female cast. Dr. Duvall emphasized the importance of balancing opportunities for students. “Back in Forest Grove, Oregon, I was the theatre arts director and we did this exact play: there were 5 male students that put this together for their senior project, and it worked brilliantly with a male cast. So, I thought, why not? It’s a great way to let students explore different roles and experiences.”
She also highlights the importance of student leadership within the productions. “One of my lead actors, Luigi DeAngelis, is also the assistant director for this Shakespeare play, and I’ll do the same with Steel Magnolias, where Kyleah Hoffman and Vanessa Sherard will serve as student assistant directors. Eventually, the goal is for them to direct their own shows without us—if we’ve done our job right, they won’t need us.”
Navigating Space and Safety Challenges
As much as Dr. Duvall enjoys the creativity of her productions, she acknowledges the limitations of working in a space designed as a lecture hall rather than a theater. Fire Marshal and OSHA regulations now guide how the program operates, given that students are also learning theatre tech. “It’s one thing to say we’re doing our best, but now we have to meet professional standards. It makes things tricky, but we’re hoping to get a larger space eventually,” she explains.
These space constraints influenced the choice of productions this year. Steel Magnolias was selected for the spring because of its smaller cast, making it feasible given the current limitations. “Even with smaller shows, we are at capacity,” Dr. Duvall notes, adding that she always tries to find creative solutions despite these challenges.
Performance and Dining Details
The performances will run over two weekends, starting Friday, November 1. To avoid opening on Halloween, the team opted for a slightly later premiere. The production schedule includes both evening and brunch shows to offer flexibility for attendees. The brunch will take place on November 2 at 12:30 p.m., with the culinary students preparing an elegant menu, and show time is at 2p.m (and being referred to as 2a). The second show that day, referred to a 2b or not 2b, will take place at 6p.m.
For the dinner theatre experience, scheduled for November 7, dinner will be served at 5p.m., with the show beginning at 6p.m. Dr. Duvall shares that a highlight of the event will be the actors mingling with attendees during the meals. “It’s like Goofy’s Kitchen at Disneyland,” she jokes. “Our actors will interact with guests during brunch or dinner—it’s a fun perk.”
This year, there is a shift in how tickets are managed. The school uses showtix4u.com (has moved to a new platform called CUR8), which offers reserved seating options. Attendees can purchase meal tickets separately and add show tickets to their carts separately, ensuring they get their preferred seats, or they can choose general admission if seating doesn’t matter. “We wanted to provide a variety of ticket options, and people can choose to buy tickets at the door,” Dr. Duvall explains. “But honestly, I do expect the second weekend to sell out once word gets out about how funny this show is.”
Building Anticipation for a Lively Season
This marks Dr. Duvall’s fourth production at PVHS, with previous performances including Dark and Stormy, You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, and The Beatles Slept Here. Now in her third year at the school, she brings a wealth of experience from her teaching career, which began in 1999.
Despite the challenges of working in a smaller space, Dr. Duvall remains optimistic about the future of PVHS’s theatre program. “It’s all about making it work with what we have and giving the students the best possible experience,” she says. “The ultimate goal is for them to take ownership of these productions, and we’re getting there.”
With The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged, Revised, Again) just weeks away, excitement is building among students, faculty, and the community. Dr. Duvall encourages early ticket purchases to avoid missing out on what promises to be a hilarious and memorable show.
For those looking to enjoy both fine dining and live theatre, this production offers the perfect combination. Whether you’re drawn by the humor of Shakespeare or the creative efforts of PVHS’s students, this dinner theatre experience is not to be missed.
