With all this talk of comic books being turned into movies (I’m looking at you Scott Pilgrim and Green Lantern and countless others), how about one that’s being turned into…a play? And no I’m not talking about the expensive Spider-Man musical.

I’m talking about Cheapjack Shakespeare, a comedy about a summer Shakespeare company that’s falling apart as they’re “beset by infidelity, egos, ambition and a particularly ill-timed lightning strike.” Shaun McLaughlin, a reknowned comic book writer (Aquaman) and TV producer (Batman Beyond, Static Shock and various incarnations of Justice League), created the online graphic novel that debuted earlier this year. “It’s like Glee with booze and Shakespeare,” McLaughlin says.

Cheapjack Shakespeare: The Non-Musical has finalized its casting, begun rehearsals and set its premiere date for September 9th at the Alt Theatre in Buffalo, NY. Additional performances will be on September 10, 11, 16, 17, 18, 23, 24 and 25.

The cast includes Kristin Bentley, Arin Lee Dandes and Daniel Morris. McLaughlin’s adaptation will be directed by Drew McCabe. According to McLaughlin, “The stage production will be a re-imagining, not a straight adaptation of the graphic novel.”

Collections of Cheapjack Shakespeare are available at Drive Thru Comics and for the Kindle at Amazon.

Promotional videos for Cheapjack Shakespeare appear weekly on YouTube.

[Artwork: poster for Cheapjack Shakespeare: The Non-Musical, © Shaun McLaughlin]