The Appalachian Shakespeare Center at Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) returns to the big stage with William Shakespeare’s, “The Taming of the Shrew.” The production, directed by Madison Plucknett, transposes Shakespeare’s comedy to the modern world of reality television. The community is invited to enjoy performances held over the next two weekends, Thursday through Sunday, at the EKU Center for the Arts.
The play by William Shakespeare follows Bianca who, despite having many suitors, will not be married until her older sister Kate finds a husband. However, is anyone man enough to “tame” this strong-willed woman? When Petruchio comes to “wive it wealthily in Padua,” he may get more than he bargains for.
Inspired by Shakespeare’s often-cut induction plot, Plucknett said, “The Taming of the Shrew presents a unique challenge: you must either emphasize its disturbing elements or allow the audience to laugh at its absurdity. This modern context captures the essence of the induction, allowing the audience to enjoy the play's comedic aspects without being weighed down by its darker elements. Whether you come to challenge your personal philosophies or for a few laughs, we can’t wait to see you in our live studio audience.”
In the spirit of popular shows like “Love is Blind” and “The Bachelor,” the characters know they are performing and attendees get to be part of a live-studio audience. Through the use of live-feed video projection, the audience will see the TV reality as well as the live theatrical reality playing out in front of them, reflecting and amplifying the themes of Shakespeare’s play.
Performance dates and times for “The Taming of the Shrew,” at the Black Box Theater in EKU’s Center for the Arts:
-
July 11-13, at 7:30 p.m.
-
July 14, at 2 p.m.
-
July 18-20, at 7:30 p.m.
-
July 21, at 2 p.m.
General admission is $20; student and senior admission is $15. Tickets are available at the EKU Center for the Arts Box Office at 859-622-7469 or etix.com.