The Taming of the Shrew

In the vibrant city of Padua (Italy) lives Baptista Minola, a wealthy merchant, and father of two daughters as unlike as the Sun and Moon. Bianca is the sweet, calm, and beautiful one. Katerina is the other; fiery, headstrong, and sharp-tongued.

While all eyes love to gaze upon the Moon, many fear being blinded by the Sun. Equally, suitors flock to woo Bianca, but for Kate, no one else in Padua has the intestinal fortitude to brave her taunts. However, all suits to the youngest are blocked by Father Baptista, who says none may court fair Bianca till Katherine, his eldest, be wooed, wed, and rid his house.

Barred from Bianca, two would-be suitors, Old Man Gremio and Hapless Hortensio, arrive at a desperate plan: to discover a likely suitor for Kate or goodnight their hopes!  And they do, when in swaggers Hortensio's self-assured, boisterous friend, Petruchio.

Petruchio himself is in Padua on a mission to find a wealthy wife, and despite dire warnings of his potential bride's infamous reputation, firmly assures the two suitors that he will prevail.

And when Kate and Petruchio meet, Game On! Sparks sizzle, drip, and fly when these two mavericks get dropped into the same ring together.

But wait! There's more! Lurking in the background, Lucentio, a recent arrival from Pisa, of a sudden also falls head over boots for the fair Bianca, and aided by his trusty servant, Tranio, he seeks to o'erleap all her illegitimate suitors and gain the Moon's grace for himself.

Which sets off a chain of disguises, deceptions, and delights. Will Kate be won and mold herself to what society expects of a good wife? Will Bianca? The answer may surprise you.

Set amidst the bustle and bargaining of the Italian Renaissance, 'Taming of the Shrew' showcases Shakespeare's use of witty banter, love of disguise, fast paced comedy, and bold characters. Here the young playwright began his career with a mastery of the form, pre-figuring his later 17th century hits "Much Ado About Nothing", "Romeo and Juliet", "Hamlet", and even "Macbeth" with this early tale of masking mania. A mania Shakespeare himself would qualify, "... is rarely ever as it seems.*"

* Not an actual Shakespeare quote.

Show dates and location for The Taming of the Shrew have not been determined. We expect it to be sometime in Late Summer/Fall 2026. Sign up for our email newsletter or follow us on social media for the latest updates.