Shakespeare classic to be performed at GC&SU

Georgia College & State University’s department of music and theatre will present William Shakespeare’s “The Taming of the Shrew” Feb. 20 through Feb. 23

“The Taming of the Shrew” is the story of two sisters, Bianca and Katherine. Bianca (Jillian Stough) is sweet and traditional; Katherine (Mandy Butler) is shrewish, angry and rebellious. No one wants to marry Katherine, and she tries to drive off anyone who even makes the attempt. Their father will not allow Bianca to marry until Katherine does. So while Bianca’s suitors plot against one another to court her, they try to get Katherine married off to Petruchio, who is initially after her money, but soon sticks around for the challenge. Bianca and her suitors go through some identity mix-ups while Petruchio tries to “tame” Katherine’s wild nature.

The theme of “Taming” has been changed for GC&SU’s version of the play. The original focused on Katherine being “wrong” in her wildness – that she’s at fault for being different. In the school’s production, they have played things out a little differently.

“What Marlene (the director) is doing with the play, she’s playing the game, the inner fool, and this play is all about the inner fool inside of everybody,” said cast member Ashley Pedicini. “It’s what makes us play games. It makes things interesting. It’s not about a problem, because a problem is too easy to act a problem. We’re getting rid of the problems and we’re bringing out the inner fool.”

The director said she wanted to play up the interaction between Katherine and Petruchio. She wants to show that Petruchio is trying to make Katherine play with him, to make her stop being contrary just for the sake of it. Katherine needs to learn to play with those around her. When everyone learns to let go and be fun, they can become true equals.

Opening night for the production is set for Thursday, Feb. 20 at 8 p.m. in The Russell Auditorium. General Admission is $10 and admission for senior citizens, non-GC&SU students and GC&SU faculty and staff is $6. Students with a valid ID will be admitted for $2.

Posted by Colonnade Archives on Feb 14 2003. Filed under Other. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry