People's Shakespeare Project to Present TAMING OF THE SHREW, Begin. 6/19

On June 19-22 and 26-29, The People's Shakespeare Project (TPSP) will present eight outdoor performances (weather permitting) of one of Shakespeare's most rollicking and sometimes controversial comedies, Taming of the Shrew. All performances will be held on an outdoor stage next to The Swan Pond in the middle of Millersville University's campus. Each evening starts with live music at 7 p.m. The play begins promptly at 7:30 p.m. The final Saturday performance on June 28 will be open-captioned. There is no ticket price, however there is a suggested donation of $5.

Taming of the Shrew is one of Shakespeare's earlier works and sometimes considered dated in its approach to women and marriage. However, as with all Shakespeare plays, it is timeless. First and foremost, this play is a Hoot! In keeping with TPSP's tradition, these performances will be moved from Elizabethan times to the rootin,' tootin' Wild West. Petruchio, a loud-mouthed cowboy, comes to woo Kate, a loud-mouthed saloon-owner's daughter. It's hard to imagine which of these two shrews is the "shrewiest!" As Petruchio says, "Where two raging fires meet together, they do consume the thing that feeds their fury."

This spaghetti Western interpretation is sure to please the entire family as well as offer food for thought. The madcap comedy asks ageless questions. Is it right to tame a woman - to tame anyone, even a man? Is it necessary to kill a woman's spirit to get a peaceful marriage? And is peacefulness all it's cracked up to be? How about a little passion? a little spit and vinegar? Despite this out-and-out battle of the sexes, love does triumph in the end.

Audiences are encouraged to bring blankets, lawn chairs, picnics, etc. to the outdoor performances. Since it's Western-themed, feel free to break out your cowboy boots for the event!

Come early for the music and stay for the play (running time approximately 2 hours, 20 minutes including intermission). Refreshments will be sold at the concession booth. Since the event is being held outdoors, if it appears as if the weather is not cooperating, please go to our website artsmu.com or call 717.871.2308 for a recorded message on whether the event for the evening has been cancelled.

The production is directed by Laura Korach Howell, executive/artistic director of The Peoples Shakespeare Project. Ms. Howell is a local Equity actress, teacher, director and roster artist with the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts. She received her training at Circle-in-the-Square Theatre and The Actor's Center (NYC) and Shakespeare & Co. (MA). Her passion for Shakespeare led her to found The People's Shakespeare Project in 2006, a non-profit organization devoted to introducing the joys of Shakespeare through instruction and performance. She is joined this year with a cast of 13 actors comprised of college students and well-known local community actors.

These performances are made possible through a partnership with Millersville University's Visual and Performing Arts.

For more for more information on the performances and TPSP, visit www.peoplesshakespeareproject.org.

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