“THE TAMING OF THE SHREW” OPENS 2007 SEASON AT BARD ON THE BEACH

Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival opens its 18h season with the boisterous romantic comedy The Taming of the Shrew. It plays Tuesdays through Sundays in the 520-seat open-ended Mainstage tent in Vanier Park from May 31 through September 23, 2007. Miles Potter, one of Canada’s most respected directors, returns to Bard from Toronto after a five year hiatus during which time he directed and performed with the Stratford Festival.

The Taming of the Shrew is a fast-paced and hilarious love story. Miles Potter places this merry battle of the sexes in the unruly American Wild West, adopting the style of the spaghetti western. It is a setting where he feels the play’s domestic politics will make sense to today’s audience. The action takes place in Padua City and on Petruchio's ranch. Just as the 1880s saw American frontiersmen struggling to tame the Wild West, Petruchio struggles to ‘tame’ Katharina. In this world of Macho men and strong-minded women, it's high noon for Kate and Petruchio.

Beautiful Bianca (Naomi Wright) has many suitors, but her father Baptista (Duncan Fraser) says she cannot marry until her ill-tempered sister Katharina (Colleen Wheeler) finds a husband. Along comes Petruchio (Bob Frazer) who, determined “to wive it wealthily in Padua,” cleverly obtains the hand of feisty Kate who has frightened off all previous candidates. He then sets out to tame his new bride with the help of his sidekick Grumio (Derek Metz). While Kate and Petruchio engage in a lively battle of wits, three hopeful suitors vie for Bianca’s affections: newcomer Lucentio (Kyle Rideout), optimistic favourite Hortensio (Haig Sutherland), and the elderly but wealthy Gremio (David Marr). While Lucentio poses as a schoolmaster, his servant Tranio (Michael Scholar, Jr.) assumes the role of his master. When surety of the promised dowry is needed, a traveller (Christopher Gaze) successfully pretends to be Lucentio’s father until the real Vincentio (Ian Butcher) arrives. Adding to the hilarity are the local tailor (Ashley Liu), the widow (Lois Anderson) and servants (Christopher Weddell, Daryl King, Charles Christien Gallant and Taylor Trowbridge).

For the Mainstage tent, set designer Kevin McAllister has created a classic Shakespearean stage with architecture that lends itself both to the Wild West streets and saloons of …Shrew, as well as to the Italian setting of the upcoming production of Romeo and Juliet. Mara Gottler’s costume designs capture the spaghetti western archetypes, highlighting the individuality of each character amongst this town’s socially and ethnically diverse motley crew. Toronto composer Marc Desormeaux’s sound design includes original music inspired by Sergio Leone’s familiar film soundtracks. Gerald King’s lighting spotlights the comedy, while Valerie Easton’s choreography and Nicolas Harrison’s fight direction bring precision to the dance segments and on-stage tussles. Stage Manager Stephen Courtenay is assisted by Kelly Barker (Assistant Stage Manager) and Sarah Pearson (Apprentice Stage Manager).

Performance details for The Taming of the Shrew are as follows:
• Previews: May 31, June 1, 2, 3, 5, 6; Opens: June 7.
• Runs Tuesdays through Sundays from May 31 to September 23 - Mainstage tent in Vanier Park.
• Plays in repertory with Romeo and Juliet which begins June 13.
• Bard-B-Q & Fireworks evenings: July 25, 28, August 1, 4 at 6:00 pm.
• Celebrating Red & White – wine event between shows on August 18.

Tickets are $31 (evenings); $20 to $26.50 (previews/matinees). Order on-site, by phone at 604-739-0559, or on-line at www.bardonthebeach.org. Season Sponsor is Starbucks; Production Sponsor for … Shrew is Vancity.