Theatre at Barton’s fall production of Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew opens tonight in Howard Chapel at 8 p.m. The production, which runs through Sunday, has nightly shows Thursday – Saturday at 8 p.m. and a matinee at 3 p.m. on Sunday. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. respectively. Tickets will be sold at the door –adult admission $8 and student admission $5.
One of Shakespeare’s early plays, “The Taming of the Shrew” serves as a springboard for later comedies such as “Much Ado about Nothing.” While addressing themes of love and marriage, this fabulous farce keeps the audience entertained with fast paced word play, disguises, and role playing. “The Taming of the Shrew” compares the gentle and poetic love between Bianca and Lucentio with the physical and argumentative courtship of Katherine and Petruchio. Lucentio falls in love at first sight while Petruchio is searching for a woman “rich enough” to be his wife. Everyone desires Bianca, while Petruchio settles for Katherine. Now, the sparks begin to fly.
“Many of the students mark this as their first foray into Shakespeare,” said Bob Wagner, director of Theatre at Barton. “The bard’s work can be intimidating at first, but they met the challenge head-on and found that this work can be as rewarding as it is challenging. We have had a lot of fun working on the production, and I hope that it shows in the performance.”
The cast includes Jennie Crawley, Cody B. Morrison, William Peck, Jessica Sharp, Michael Parrill, Santos Vanegas, Matt Abrams, Jonathan Butler, Zack Brown, Rose Stenbuck, Cameron McIntosh, Kyle Goodman, Jessica Taborsky, Krysti Reuter, Whitley Stanley, and Mary Harmon.
The production staff includes Wagner as the director, Caitlyn Garner as stage manager, and Stanley as assistant stage manager. Lizzie Stafford is the house manager, Wagner and Butler have provided scenic and lighting design, and costume design is by Julie Crawley and Sharon Montano. Make-up and hair is by Montano. Scenery is by James Lassiter, Mike Smith, Krysten Lowery, Laura D’Angeli, Hunter Parks, and Amber Fletcher. Props are by Butler and Diana Kim. Lights – Amanda Mickell; follow spot – Christy Conley; sound design and audio technician – Tim Kite; running crew – D.J. Parris, Tina Ramirez, and Lalonnie Steward; poster design and layout – Chris Allen; publicity assistants – La’Trella Hayes and Dustin Chance; and headshots – Kelli Moss.
For additional information or to purchase group tickets, please contact Bob Wagner at 252-399-6484 or email: bwagner@barton.edu.
Questions? Contact Kathy Daughety, director of public relations, at 252-399-6529 or email: kdaughety@barton.edu.