ATHENS — The UGA Performing Arts Center opens its 2011-2012 season at 8 p.m. Sept. 20 in the Fine Arts Theatre with a fast-paced performance by the Reduced Shakespeare Company in the new comedy, "The Complete World of Sports (abridged)."

Since its origins in 1981, the Reduced Shakespeare Company has created seven

world-renowned stage shows, two television specials, several failed TV pilots and numerous radio programs.

Its first shows - "The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged)," "The

Complete History of America (abridged)" and "The Bible: The Complete Word of God (abridged)" ran for nine years at the Criterion Theatre in Piccadilly Circus, becoming London's longest-running comedies.

The troupe has performed at the White House, the Kennedy Center, Lincoln Center, Seattle Repertory Theatre, American Repertory Theatre, and Montreal's famed Just For Laughs Festival, as well as overseas performances in Israel, Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Japan, Malta, Singapore and Bermuda.

Tickets are $37 with special discounts for UGA students. They are on sale online or by calling the Performing Arts Center box office at 706-542-4400 or toll free at 888-289-8497.

The Fine Arts Theatre is located in the Fine Arts Building at 255 Baldwin St. in Athens.