The Public Theater's Free Shakespeare in the Park production of director Phyllida Lloyd's all-female staging of THE TAMING OF THE SHREW played its first preview at Central Park's Delacorte Theater last night. While Olivier nominee Cush Jumbo stars as Katherina alongside Tony and Olivier winner Janet McTeer's Petruchio, audiences may sometimes be treated to a cameo appearance by one of New York theatre's more infamous celebrities, the Shakespeare Raccoon.
While yet to be cast in a Shakespeare in the Park production, this four-legged thespian (Is there only one?) has been known to upstage the proceedings at many a Delacorte performance.
Some say his Twitter account is really managed by his agent, as his paws weren't exactly made for keyboards.
An all female "Taming of the Shrew." A guy can't get a break. I'd be perfect for Petruchio! I may have to crash that party.
- Shakespeare Raccoon (@ParkRaccoon) May 24, 2016
Who saw my (impromptu) performance tonight? Decided to act up against raccoonist casting policies @PublicTheaterNY. #ShakespeareinthePark
- Shakespeare Raccoon (@ParkRaccoon) May 25, 2016
Any rich folks with a penchant for handsome raccoons need a date to see "Sunday in the Park with George?" #sugardaddy #sugarmommy #flexible
- Shakespeare Raccoon (@ParkRaccoon) May 25, 2016
Life goal achieved. (BTW, I shared a stage w/ @AudraEqualityMc in Twelfth Night. My fondest memory as an actor.) pic.twitter.com/xoSjX3YsbD
- Shakespeare Raccoon (@ParkRaccoon) May 25, 2016
Last night, I used Amy's wig for a pillow. Hope she doesn't mind. #intothewoods #SondheimInThePark
- Shakespeare Raccoon (@ParkRaccoon) July 28, 2012
Don't understand why I wasn't cast to be the next @HedwigOnBway. Is it because raccoon bodies are 50% fat?
- Shakespeare Raccoon (@ParkRaccoon) June 15, 2014
Who saw me make my #ShakespeareinthePark debut onstage on Wednesday? Very disappointed @JohnLithgow didn't mention me in his blog.
- Shakespeare Raccoon (@ParkRaccoon) July 29, 2014
I won't give up on my dream of being cast in #ShakespeareinthePark one day, but I wouldn't mind being in any Alex Timbers show, anywhere.
- Shakespeare Raccoon (@ParkRaccoon) July 29, 2014
You think it's hot? I'm the one wearing a fur coat! The show must go on! I'm available to step in for actors overcome by heat.
- Shakespeare Raccoon (@ParkRaccoon) June 11, 2015
So honored to have my portrait taken by Tony winning photographer, Joan Marcus, wife of @Bubbles2828! #famous pic.twitter.com/kSyK7xkI1g
- Shakespeare Raccoon (@ParkRaccoon) June 9, 2015
THE TAMING OF THE SHREW will officially open on Tuesday, June 14 and run through Sunday, June 26. The complete cast features Candy Buckley (Vincentio); Donna Lynne Champlin (Hortensio); Rosa Gilmore (Lucentio); Judy Gold (Gremio); LaTanya Richardson Jackson (Baptista); Cush Jumbo (Katherina); Teresa Avia Lim (Biondello);Janet McTeer (Petruchio); Adrienne C. Moore (Tranio); Anne L. Nathan (Pedant); Gayle Rankin(Bianca); Pearl Rhein (Ensemble);Leenya Rideout (Ensemble); Jackie Sanders (Ensemble); andStacey Sargeant (Grumio).
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