'The Taming of the Shrew' Goes Western

Published

The Performing Arts Department at UL Â鶹´«Ã½app is once again hosting its Summer Community Theatre Production with performances of Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew.

The cast of this summer production includes performers from age four to 64. They include four adult community members, 10 UL Â鶹´«Ã½app students and eight high school or homeschooled students.

According to director David Apple with UL Â鶹´«Ã½app's Performing Arts Department, this production has a slight twist.

"William Shakespeare's boisterous Italian comedy has been moved from the world of 'old Verona' to the world of the 'spaghetti western,'" Apple explained. "Our location will be a western saloon populated with characters from classic western films."

Those characters include Petruchio, the hero, who'll be attempting to 'tame' a Calamity Jane-type Kate in this battle of the sexes.

The show will feature shootouts, bar room brawls, holdups and other western nonsense in this unique interpretation of Shakespeare's classic comedy. It will be suitable for the entire family.

Performances will be 7:30 p.m. on July 18, 19, 25 and 26 while 2 p.m. performances will be held on July 20 and 27. All performances are all Burke Hall Theatre on campus. Tickets are available only at the door. The box office will open 30 minutes before each performance.