Orlando Shakespeare Theater

Wild West Shrew Opens Landmark Season

Orlando Shakespeare Theater in Partnership with UCF is opening its 25th season with a new take on a play that has a storied history for the theater, William Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew.

Directed by Orlando Shakes Artistic Director Jim Helsinger, the production will get a Wild West setting. “I'm really looking forward to directing Taming of the Shrew,” Helsinger said in a press release. “We have never done the play set in the Wild West, and I think it is a perfect setting for a rootin,' tootin,' trick-shot shootin' version of this battle of the sexes! Let's saddle up and ride!”

Orlando Shakes has produced The Taming of the Shrew during two other historic milestones. “This is the first play that Orlando Shakes ever produced in 1989,” said Helsinger. “It is also the play that opened our Shakespeare Center in 2001, and I think it is the perfect play to kick off the celebration of our 25th season.”

Starting 30 minutes before each performance, Orlando Shakes actors will lead the audience through a workshop on the plot, themes, and major characters of The Taming of the Shrew. Part of the Prologue Series, it is free for all ticket buyers with no RSVP necessary.

This production features John Ahlin as Baptista, Brad DePlanche as Grumio, Deanna Gibson as Katherine, Anne Hering as Widow, Jimmy Ireland as Tranio, Geoffrey Kent as Petruchio, Melissa Mason as Bianca, Brandon Roberts as Gremio, Chris Ryan as Lucentio, and Ron Schneider as Vincentio, with other principal and supporting roles to be announced at a later date. The creative team includes Scenic Designer Kat Conley, Costume Designer Denise R. Warner, Lighting Designer Mary Heffernan, and Sound Designer Britt Sandusky.

The Taming of the Shrew begins Sept. 11 and runs through Oct. 6, 2013, at the John and Rita Lowndes Shakespeare Center in Loch Haven Park. Tickets, priced at $17–$40, are on sale now via phone at 407-447-1700 or on the web at http://orlandoshakes.org.

July 22, 2013

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