The Taming of the Shrew

June 22 - June 25, 2006 
July 6, 8, 2006
Free admission

For, by this light, whereby I see thy beauty,

Thy beauty that doth make me like thee well.

                                                       - Petruchio at II.1.274-275, The Taming of the Shrew

Shakespeare hasn’t written about anything that hasn’t happened to our Festival family in the course of our 20 years—birth, death, love, war, sex, violence, explorations, and discoveries leading to major transformation to our world and to ourselves.  I see differently now than I did twenty years ago, and I bring this perspective to this, my fifth encounter acting in or directing The Taming of the Shrew.


Shrew was the first play of our inaugural season in 1987.  Eight hundred people came to see this traveling troupe of players with their bright jewel-toned costumes inspired by the Punch & Judy shows popular in Shakespeare’s time.  The second time was for our 10th Anniversary, and we set it in the American Old West.  By this time, our Festival was in full bloom with audiences averaging 3,000 per show.  This classic battle of the sexes comedy is an audience favorite and is an appropriate choice for this Anniversary celebration.


The Taming of the Shrew is a story about searching for truth in a world of excesses.  In this world, Kate and Petruchio are transformed (not tamed) by true love as contrasted with the superficial and surface attraction of the other lovers.  Images of wild vs. civilized, revelation vs. pretension and disguise, on-the-edge vs. conforming to commercial images of success help differentiate the characters.  Kate and Petruchio see through this world of artificial values to create a partnership based on mutual respect and joy.


To create this world of artifice, we set the play in contemporary Las Vegas.  The environment of illusion with its quickie marriages, get-rich-quick mentality, betting, bartering, and beautiful and privileged people inhabit both Shakespeare’s Shrew and Vegas.  We play the Induction and the play-within-a-play in a classy Vegas lounge.  We hope Shrew will look and feel fresh, lively, imaginative, and unpredictable.  The characters are funny, playful, farcical, and rooted in real need.


The costumes are based on contemporary high fashion, aiming for distinct, theatrical, and clear revelation of the characters.  Bianca and her world come from the latest couture trends, while Petruchio and Kate reflect a more edgy, urban, counterculture sensibility.  The four-story set reflects the grandeur of Vegas and the larger-than-life quality to the play.


I found new revelations in this production thanks to the excellent company of artists and administrators.  We hope you’ll discover this play anew as Shakespeare guides and encourages and coaxes and cajoles us into seeing.



Cindy Melby Phaneuf