Clarion University Theatre will present Shakespeare’s comedy “The Taming of the Shrew” at 8 p.m. Nov. 19-22 and at 2 p.m. Nov. 23 in Marwick-Boyd Little Theatre. Tickets are $12 for adults and free to Clarion University students with a valid ID. Tickets may be reserved by phone at 814-393-2787 or online at www.clarionuniversitytickets.com.
The play tells the story of Kate, the shrew, and Petruchio, the man who "tames" her.
Kate's father (actually her mother in this production), will not permit her younger
daughter Bianca to wed until a husband is found for her sister, the feisty, disagreeable
Kate. Bianca's suitors enlist Petruchio to try to marry Kate and free their path to
Bianca. If this all sounds a little familiar, the popular 1999 film "Ten Things I
Hate About You" takes the inspiration for its plot from Shakespeare's story. The enduringly
popular musical "Kiss Me, Kate" is also a homage to "Shrew."
The play has received many different interpretations in its more than 400 years of production history, due mainly to the ever-changing relationships between men and women. In Shakespeare's society, a wife was more or less a husband's property. Modern productions tend to examine the relationship between Kate and Petruchio, as will Clarion's, which sets the play in 1968.
Caitlin Webster, of Plum, and Andrew Stalder, Warren, take on the roles of Kate and Petruchio. For both, the production is their capstone graduation project in the Bachelor of Fine Arts acting program at Clarion. Also in the cast are Maggie Mae McWade, Fleming, as Madam Baptista; Jacie Davison, Waynesboro, as Bianca; Sam Atwell, St. Mary's, as Lucentio; Kiah Harrington-Wymer, Brookville, as Tranio; Chloe Saccol, Johnstown, as Biondello; Logan Honsaker, Twinsburg, Ohio, as Hortensio; Dr. Ralph Leary, Clarion, as Gremio; Lorenzo Ballesteros, Cresco, as Grumio; Maria Fazio, McKees Rocks, as Candace/the widow; Zane Perkins, Greenville, as the traveling merchant; Casey Martz, Brookville, as Vincentio; Gabrielle Kashner, Columbia, as the tailor/officer; and Dr. Todd Pfannestiel, Clarion, as the haberdasher. Understudies for the production are Cortney Chaplin, McMurray; Derrick Watson, Philadelphia; Victoria Heckert, Red Lion; and Zatariana Lewis, Pittsburgh.
The production is directed by Robert Bullington, assistant professor of theatre. Scenery is designed by Hank Bullington, Clarion; costumes by Payge Crock, Lake City; lighting by Megan Bodish, Fombell; sound by Thomas Feather, Windber; and properties by John Dobson, Mercer. The production stage manager is Cierra Southerton, Honesdale, assisted by Lauren Skelly, Clarion. Cayleigh Boniger, Girard, is the dramaturg for the production. The technical director is Edward J. Powers, associate professor in theatre, and the movement consultant is Drew Williams, instructor of theatre.