Comical Taming of the Shrew revived onstage

Set in turn of the century Italy, William Shakespeare's Taming of the Shrew is brought to life on the Texas A&M International University Center for the Fine and Performing Arts Theatre stage.

The Laredo Theatre Guild, in cooperation with TAMIU's College of Arts & Science's Department of Language and Literature, pays homage to the Shakespearean era. Lavish costumes, eloquent accents, and battles of trickery and wit took center as the story unfolded.

Directed by John Maxtad, the cast featured several TAMIU students, including, Lexie DeAnda as Katherine, the sharp tempered shrew, known for her blatant hostility, Richard Resendez as Petruchio, the eccentric gentleman attempting to court Katherine in order to attain a heavy dowry, and Casandra Canales as Bianca, the sweet, seemingly unassuming sister of the shrew.  

In short, Kate, the elder of the two Minola daughters, is made to wed Petruchio, and is transformed through the duration of the play from a scowling "shrew" to a what the play depicts as a dignified woman. Meanwhile, her sister, Bianca, deemed the lovelier of the two is drowning in potential suitors, one in particular, Lucentio played by Oliver Saneaz, only to be revealed, in true Shakespearean fashion, at the end of the play as the "bad one."

Throughout the play, Petruchio and Kate spar, sparing no words or actions, as Petruchio goes through great lengths to "tame" Kate. Starving, startling and slapping are just a few of the misogynist labeled methods used by Petruchio. In large part to the direction and comedic timing of the actors, the production, although faithful to the original work, lessen the "taming" controversy, providing audiences with an amusing view of a wreak courtship.

"[As] one of Shakespeare's earliest comedies, The Taming of the Shrew is also one of the brightest and funniest, a merry knockabout farce about love and marriage," said Maxstadt.

Laredo Theatre Guild, in cooperation with TAMIU's College of Arts & Science Department of Language and Literature, presents The Taming of the Shrew Thursday, March 25 through Saturday, March 27 at 7:30 p.m. and on Sunday, March 28 at 3 p.m. at the Center of the Fine and Performing Arts Theatre.

Tickets may be purchased the night-of at the box office or in advance at TAMIU Bookstore, and Foster's Flower Shop for $15 general admission and $10 for students with a valid I.D. 

For more information, call 956.319.8610 or visit www.laredotheaterguild.com

(Stephanie Ibarra may be reached at stephie@dusty.tamiu.edu)