?Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) on Navy Pier closes the 2010/11 Subscription Series with The Taming of the Shrew, Shakespeare's spark-filled comedy of an unconventional courtship. Returning to CST to direct the production is London's Bush Theatre Artistic Director Josie Rourke following her celebrated production of Twelfth Night last season. Rourke has assembled a top-notch ensemble, including some of Chicago's most highly regarded comedic actors and a world-class creative team for the production.
Chicago Shakespeare Theater's The Taming of the Shrew runs April 7 through June 6, 2010 in the Courtyard Theater. Tickets are $44-$75 and may be purchased by calling Chicago Shakespeare Theater's Box Office at 312.595.5600 or by visiting the Theater's website at www.chicagoshakes.com.
Fast moving, bawdy and full of wordplay, The Taming of the Shrew continues to be one of Shakespeare's most popular, crowd-pleasing comedies. Fortune-seeking Petruchio arrives in Padua looking to marry into money. After hearing about the fiery Katharina, he sets his sights on taming her for her dowry. Her younger sister Bianca is eager for Katharina to be wed since her own marriage depends on her elder sister's first taking place. Bianca is flooded with suitors, including the elderly, wealthy Gremio and a complete newcomer to Padua, Lucentio, who disguises himself as a tutor in order to secretly woo Bianca.
Directing the production is London's Bush Theatre Artistic Director Josie Rourke, who returns to CST after her critically acclaimed production of Twelfth Night last season. A celebrated director of both classical and contemporary theater, Rourke was appointed Artistic Director of the Bush Theatre in 2007. Her 37-year-old company focuses on the development and presentation of new plays, including works by David Eldridge, Conor McPherson, Stephen Poliakoff and Neil LaBute. Under Rourke's leadership, the theater was able to reverse major funding cuts threatened by Arts Council England in 2008. As one of England's foremost voices for not-for-profit theaters, she was named among The Guardian's "People Who Are Making British Theatre Happen." Rourke has held positions at the Donmar Warehouse, Sheffield Theatres and the Royal Court, and has directed a number of critically acclaimed productions, including David Mamet's The Cryptogram at the Donmar Warehouse, and Believe What You Will and King John for the Royal Shakespeare Company.
The Taming of the Shrew welcomes back to CST some of Chicago's most highly regarded comedic performers as well as some outstanding newcomers to Chicago Shakespeare's stage. Making her CST debut in the role of Katharina is Bianca Amato, who holds a number of credits in leading theaters across the country, including The Guthrie Theater, Signature Theatre, BAM and the Public Theater. Also new to CST is Ian Bedford, whose regional credits include performances at Shakespeare Theater Company, La Jolla Playhouse and the Mark Taper Forum, and who will be playing the role of Petruchio in Rourke's production. CST veterans include Sean Fortunato as Hortensio; Mike Nussbaum as Gremio; Brian Sills as Tranio and Larry Yando as Baptista. Also returning to CST is Stephen Ouimette as Grumio, a twenty-year veteran of Stratford Shakespeare Festival, who played the role of Oliver in the hit Canadian television series Slings and Arrows. The cast of The Taming of the Shrew is rounded out by Katherine Cunningham as Bianca; William Dick as Stage Manager; Mary Beth Fisher as Director; Alex Goodrich as Biondello; Marc Grapey as Vincentio; Erik Hellman as Lucentio; Steven Pringle as Pedant; Matthew Sherbach as Curtis; Karen Janes Woditsch as Widow and ensemble members Tim Gittings and Terry Hamilton.
