UVa-Wise theater students to present Shakespeare adaptation

An adaptation of William Shakespeare’s classic play “The Taming of the Shrew” will be presented at The University of Virginia’s College at Wise on Nov. 9 and 17 at 8 p.m. and Nov. 11 at 2 p.m.

“The Taming/The Shrew” explores socioeconomic factors in the subjugation of “shrewish” women. Petruchio and Katherine, Shakespeare’s famous fighting couple, are disengaged from romantic notions of love in this story adapted and directed by Michael Hunt.

Unlike other adaptations, “The Taming/The Shrew” uses only language from Shakespeare’s original text. That text, however, is cut up and rearranged to clarify the context of the lovers’ relationship.

The production is set in an RV park on a single night, in the middle of a humorously distorted version of Shakespeare’s idyllic lovers’ woods.

The cast includes Teresa Griffin as Katherine, Sam Lovin as Petruchio, Larry VanHoorebeke as Baptista, Rebecca Ford as Bianca, Leah Arthur as Hortensio, Sarah McDonald as Grumio, Aaron Dorsey as Player and Jonah Adkins as Pedant.

This production is recommended for mature audiences.

Due to campus construction, the UVa-Wise Division of Theater and its productions will be located temporarily in the Theater Center across from the Baptist Student Union on Darden Drive.

For more information, contact the Office of College Relations at 276-328-0130.

Posted November 5, 2007