The Taming of the Shrew—Final Weekend in Batavia

Shakespeare on Clark is pleased to announce the cast of their upcoming production "The Taming of the Shrew" by William Shakespeare.

This classic play deals with Baptista Minola faced with several suitors for her daughter Bianca, who is widely regarded as sweet and lovely. However, Baptista is adamant that no one will win Bianca's hand in marriage until someone marries her older daughter, Katherina, who is widely considered to be hostile and ill-tempered.

Performances are on Clark Island in Batavia on July 27-29 and August 3-5 and August 10-12. Friday and Saturday shows begin at 7 p.m., and Sunday shows begin at 6 p.m.

There is no charge for admission to the shows on Clark Island, but generous donations to support the arts are always greatly appreciated.

"The Taming of the Shrew" is directed by Julane Sullivan. 

This show is produced in cooperation with Batavia Main Street, Batavia Park District, All Dressed Up Costumes, and Batavia Arts Council.    

For additional information, please go to http://www.jesterscourtyard.com/shakespeare-on-clark.html

Here is the rest of the synopsis:

Hortensio is one of Bianca's hopeful suitors and welcomes his old friend Petruchio to town. Petruchio has come in search of a wife and Hortensio informs him of Katherina's situation, as well as warning him about her volatile personality. Petruchio and Katherina's first meeting takes verbal sparring to a new level, as Katherina insults and slaps him.

Undaunted, Petruchio accepts Baptista's dowry and sets about marrying Katherina, who is at first resistant, but then makes no further objections to the match.

Meanwhile, Hortensio has two main rivals for Bianca: Gremio and Lucentio. The latter is a wealthy young man instantly taken with Bianca. Lucentio and his servant Tranio agree on a plan that Lucentio will pose as a tutor for Bianca while Tranio will pose as Lucentio. As this plan goes into effect, Petruchio has a plan of his own. He will behave in an increasingly volatile and confounding manner to Katherina as well as to any others in the vicinity. His antics make Katherina's past exploits seem tame by comparison.

Denying Katherina food, suitable clothes, and sleep in the name of "love," Petruchio hopes to alter her ill temper. For a while, Petruchio's servant Grumio bears the brunt of Katherina's frustration to comic effect. More hilarity ensues when Lucentio's father Vincentio arrives with Tranio pretending to be Vincentio's son.

Come witness the dust settle and see if Petruchio's boast of "and where two raging fires meet together, they do consume the thing that feeds their fury" comes true.    

CAST

The part of Katherina will be played by Mary K. Nigohosian (Batavia), and Carl Zeitler (Glen Ellyn) appears as Petruchio. Lucentio will be portrayed by August Anderson (Batavia), and Bianca will be played by Glynis Gilio (Batavia). Appearing as Hortensio is Ted Holste (Clarendon Hills). Baptista will be played by Emily Champlin (Naperville). Stacey Garbarski (St. Charles) will be playing Tranio. Grumio will be portrayed by Jerome Urbik (North Aurora). Dennis Stewart (Streamwood) appears as Gremio. Vincentio will be played by Steve Delchamps (Batavia). Margie Gustafson (Lombard) portrays the Tailor and the Widow. The part of Biondello will be played by Michael Cook (Oswego). Matt Heine (Batavia) will appear as Pedant. Mandy Barnes (Geneva), William Evansen (Batavia), David Rittenhouse (Geneva), and Molly Wagner (St. Charles) round out the cast as Servants.