PPT’s ‘Taming of the Shrew’ coming to the Norvell Theater
Published 12:00 am Thursday, February 11, 2016
- Sarah Hallett (left) as Katherine meets up with Petruchio played by Ben Zino in PPT's next youth production at the Norvell: 'The Taming of the Shrew' in a western theme. JON C. LAKEY / SALISBURY POST
By Josh Wainright, PPT
One of Shakespeare’s earliest comedies, PPT’s next youth production, “Taming of the Shrew,” opens at the Norvell Theater Feb. 19. Filled with slapstick humor, disguises and deception, it’s the classic “battle of the sexes” story.
In the Italian city of Padua, a rich young man named Lucentio (Andrew Prater) arrives to attend the local university. Excited to begin his studies, his priorities change the moment he lays eyes on Bianca (Mackenzie Stall), a beautiful, mild young woman with whom he immediately falls in love. The problem is, Bianca already has two suitors, Gremio (Tanner Groppi) and Hortensio (Jonah Evans); not to mention, Bianca’s father Baptista (Jason Matthews), will not allow her to be courted until her sister, the vicious, ill-tempered Katherine, is married.
Enter Hortensio’s friend, Petruchio (Ben Zino), a money-grubbing man from Verona, who arrives in town in search of a wife. With the sole intention of marrying a rich woman, he decides to marry Kate (sight unseen) despite the fact that she has a reputation for destroying men with her words. The hilarity ensues as Petruchio attempts to transform the aggressive and bad-tempered Katherine into the obedient, mild-mannered wife that society demands.
“Shrew” remains one of the most performed and adapted plays in Shakespeare’s body of work. The most popular adaptations include Cole Porter’s 1948 Broadway musical “Kiss Me Kate,” the 1999 teen film “10 Things I Hate About You,” and the 1967 film version of the play starring Elizabeth Taylor.
If you’ve ever felt pressured to conform to somebody else’s expectations and values (at school, home, or in a relationship), you’ll like the way this play makes you think about what exactly that means.
Will Katherine submit to Petruchio’s will and obey her husband’s every whim or will her evil ways and quick-wit prevail?
Show Dates: Feb. 19 and 26 at 7:30 p.m., Feb. 20 and 27 at 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Ticket prices: Adults $10, students/seniors $8. Tickets go on sale Monday. Call 704-633-5471 or purchase online at piedmontplayers.com
Meet The Cast
Petruchio -Ben Zino
Katherine -Sarah Hallett
Bianca -Mackenzie Stall
Lucentio -Andrew Prater
Hortensio -Jonah Evans
Gremio -Tanner Groppi
Baptista -Jason Matthews
Grumio -Ali Khatib
Widow -Brittney Hogan
Tranio -Hunter Cates
Vencentio -Elijah Carpenter
Baptista’s servant -Amery Barton
Haberdasher -Tori Isenhour
Tailor -Rachel Nuotilla
Sherrif -Christian Rape
Servant/Curtis -Garrett Jennings
Servant/Walter -Sara Beth Richard
Servant/and the Rest -Laura Bullock
Servant -Chloe Corley, Julianna Evans, Jaxon Evans, Lila Jane Rosser, Hannah Wells, Meghan Maxey, Bailey Zino
Stage Manager -Maddie Laity