General Incivility Reigns When THE TAMING OF THE SHREW Opens Today

Madison Shakespeare Company announces the upcoming premiere of Taming of the Shrew, directed by Francisco C. Torres. The production runs June 22 through July 1 at the Edgewood College Amphitheater.

In Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen wrote "Is not general incivility the very essence of love?" Austen's time was neither ours nor Shakespeare's, but the connection between courtship and conflict remains universal. Also unchanged are the differences between being left alone and being alone.

Shakespeare's script, developed at the beginning of his career in the early 1590s, has been adapted into some of the best-known stage and screen productions of all time. Taming of the Shrew was the opening production at the Wisconsin Union Theater in October 1939. Other notable presentations include the 1967 Elizabeth Taylor/Richard Burton film and 1999's 10 Things I Hate About You.

This production of Taming is Madison Shakespeare Company's first. Set in contemporary times, it becomes an exploration of the conflicting drives to give, take, and share power. The text was adapted by Sarah Z. Johnson, Director of the Writing Center and member of the English faculty at Madison College. Johnson previously adapted Thomas Heywood's Edward the Fourth for MSC.

The production features costumes by Michael Tredupp, properties by James Eaton, and stage management by Tanis Steed.

The cast features Sarah Z. Johnson (The Tragedy of Macbeth) as Kate, Joshua Woolfolk (Richard the Second) as Petruchio, Issaka Brellenthin (As You Like It) as Bianca, Denzel J. Taylor (UW-Madison's Our Town) as Lucentio, and Carl Cawthorne (Strollers' Rhinoceros) as Baptista.

Admission is a $15 suggested contribution, with reservations available at madisonshakespeare.org/taming2018.

About Madison Shakespeare Company

Madison Shakespeare Company was founded in 2011 to present affordable theater classics to Madison-area audiences. Past productions include Henry the Fourth, As You Like It, Richard the Second, and The Tragedy of Macbeth. The company was named Non-Equity Theater of the Year for 2017 by readers of BroadwayWorld Madison.