The Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival (hvshakespeare.org) has just announced the addition of 2 performances of the critically acclaimed production of The Taming of the Shrew to the season calendar. Tickets are now on sale for Monday August 16 and Monday August 30. Show times for both performances are 7pm and grounds open at 5pm for picnicking. Tickets are available through the HVSF Box Office: 845-265-9575 and are also available online at hvshakespeare.org.
Directed by HVSF company veteran Kurt Rhoads and starring Gabra Zackman as Kate, Richard Ercole as Petruccio and company favorites including Katie Hartke, Stephan Paul Johnson, Wesley Mann, Jason O'Connell, Ryan Quinn and Nance Williamson, Taming of the Shrew has been won rave reviews from audience and critics since opening in mid-June.
"Monday performances are new for us," commented Terrence O'Brien, Founding Artistic Director of HVSF. "We hate to turn anyone away and the remainder of our shows are very close to being sold out. By adding two additional performances of Shrew we hope that everyone will have the opportunity to see this great production."
Rhoads has set the scene in Padua circa 1960's. Though respectfully and expertly embracing Shakespeare's language and story, the scene is set with a brilliantly selected soundtrack opening with Herb Albert & the Tijuana Brass's "Tijuana Taxi", Andy Warhol inspired mini dresses and go-go boots and more than a nod to "Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In." In addition, singer/songwriter Dar Williams has written two songs for this production.
"The Taming of the Shrew has been pleasing audiences of 400 years. And why not? Tame a spirited woman, break her spirit, starve her, deprive her of sleep, train her to obey-what could be funnier? And yet, the play does work as a comedy. Is it the sexist torture that we secretly love? Rather, I think, it's the love story of these two passionate, wild-eyed adults, Kate and Petruccio," writes Rhoads in the program notes.
"Populism without pandering: That's the Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival's style and I've never seen it go wrong."
--Terry Teachout, the Wall Street Journal
TICKETS AND INFORMATION
Ticket prices for all performances are $29-$47. Tickets are available through the HVSF Box Office: 845-265-9575 and are also available online at hvshakespeare.org. Discounts are available for groups, students, senior citizens and children 12 and under. The Festival offers several special packages, including a tour of the Boscobel mansion and Exhibition Gallery plus tickets. In addition discounts at local hotels and restaurants are also available. For packages and information visit the Festival website, www.hvshakespeare.org and are available through the box office. On-line sales are currently available.
For more information about the 2010 Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival, as well as information about their ongoing Education and Community Outreach Programs, contact the Festival at (845) 265-7858.
