Portland Shakespeare Project Presents TAMING OF THE SHREW Beg. Tonight

With one of Shakespeare's most beloved, romantic comedies, Portland Shakespeare Project will delight summer audiences with a rich and comedic production of THE TAMING OF THE SHREW directed by Michael Mendelson. A fascinating theatrical complement of John Fletcher's THE TAMER TAMED (staged reading) will begin in rotating repertory on July 24. Both shows will be performed on the Alder Stage at Artists Repertory Theatre. Tickets are on sale through Artists Rep's Box Office. Performances are Wednesday through Friday at 7:30pm, Saturday at 2pm and 7:30pm, Sunday at 2pm. Full schedule and more information at www.portlandshakes.org.

THE TAMING OF THE SHREW (today, July 10-Aug 4) is Shakespeare's comedy about love, marriage, transformations, mistaken identities and awakenings. Artistic Director Michael Mendelson, who will direct the play, says: "I am excited to explore at what lengths a person will go to transform somebody they love into the person they wish them to be. Do we gain a healthier and more fruitful relationship or do we lose the essence and spark of what ignited our passion and drew us to the person in the first place? There is no better journey than that of Kate and Petruchio to explore love and marriage in both a traditional sense and one for a modern sensibility. I can hardly wait for this journey."

Opening Night is Friday, July 12 @ 7:30pm

Ticket Prices: $30; $20 for students, http://portlandshakes.org/the-taming-of-the-shrew

THE TAMER TAMED (July 24-Aug 4) continues Shakespeare's story of Petruchio and his problems with his second wife, Maria, which began in THE TAMING OF THE SHREW. Associate Artistic Director and Professor Michael Nehring, who is directing this staged reading, says: "I am so excited to share this play in a staged reading with our audiences as it is not only an underappreciated gem of comic writing, but also a surprisingly fresh response to Shakespeare's THE TAMING OF THE SHREW. Critics have referred to the play as being 'proto-feminist,' which is fascinating because THE TAMER TAMED was written by John Fletcher and first published in 1647! Expect some terrific talk back sessions, scholarly presentations, and heated discussions as we examine these two plays in back-to-back Portland Shakespeare Project productions."

Opening Night is Wednesday, July 24 @ 7:30pm

Ticket Price: $15 (adults & students), http://portlandshakes.org/the-tamer-tamed

In keeping with its mission of making classical theatre more accessible to its audiences, Portland Shakespeare Project is offering a wide variety of Audience Enrichment opportunities in conjunction with THE TAMING OF THE SHREW and THE TAMER TAMED this summer:

Watch the Show Like A Shakespearean Scholar:

On Saturday, July 13 at 3pm, PSP will host a discussion program in which our directors and instructors will share their ideas and suggestions for how to get the most out of a Shakespeare performance. This program will run from 3-5:30pm, followed by a dinner break, and then participants will be able to join the presenters at the 7:30pm performance.

On Sunday, July 28, PSP will present THE TAMING OF THE SHREW and THE TAMER TAMED back-to-back (at 2pm and 7:30pm). Between shows, audience members can join Scholar in Residence, Dr. Daniel Pollack-Pelzner, Artistic Director Michael Mendelson and Associate Artistic Director Michael Nehring for a delicious picnic-style, buffet dinner. Dr. Daniel Pollack-Pelzner, Mendelson and Nehring will discuss the shows and answer questions. Dinner will be served at Artists Repertory Theatre and will be catered by Vibrant Table.

PORTLAND SHAKESPEARE PROJECT is a nonprofit theatre company dedicated to educating, enriching and entertaining audiences by producing classical works and contemporary works associated with classical material. Portland Shakespeare Project is committed to using dedicated, professional, local actors and technicians.

Portland Shakespeare Project offers classes and educational programs for students, actors and audience members designed to raise proficiency, broaden knowledge and enrich understanding of classical material and contemporary works that honor the traditions of classical theatre.

Portland Shakespeare Project was formed by Michael Mendelson and Karen Rathje to bring high-quality and innovative interpretations of both classic works of theatre and modern works associated with classical material to Portland audiences. Over the past two summers, more than 3,000 people enjoyed Portland Shakespeare Project's entertaining productions of William Shakespeare's AS YOU LIKE IT and KING LEAR. Portland Shakespeare Project is the summer resident theatre company at Artists Repertory Theatre.

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