Photo Flash: Sneak Peek at Matt Mueller and Ericka Ratcliff in CST's TAMING OF THE SHREW, Opening 7/29

Chicago Shakespeare in the Parks is inspired by the open air setting in which Shakespeare's plays were originally performed more than 400 years ago, and Joseph Papp's twentieth century American initiative that brought free Shakespeare to urban communities. Beginning its summer tour on July 29 through each of the Park District regions, a traveling production of The Taming of the Shrew will be presented. A specially equipped truck will roll into each park, a stage will unfold, and a company of professional actors will perform. Parks scheduled to be visited, rain or shine, include: South Shore Cultural Center, Tuley Park, Dvorak Park, Austin Town Hall Park, Humboldt Park, Douglas Park, Gateway Park at Navy Pier, Welles Park, Garfield Park Conservatory, Ridge Park and Frank J. Wilson Park.

Visitors to the parks will enjoy a 75-minute, daylight production of Shakespeare's enduring comedy about the battle between the sexes, The Taming of the Shrew. The wildly spirited Kate and the machismo-driven Petruchio will scream, fight and woo their way into one another's heart in Shakespeare's verse and Elizabethan dress, underscored with original rock-inspired music to connect contemporary audiences with the characters' journeys.

Adapted and staged by Jeff Award-winning director Rachel Rockwell, Chicago Shakespeare in the Parks production of The Taming of the Shrew features Ericka Ratcliff, performing the role of strong-willed Katharina and Matt Mueller performing the role of Katharina's sparring partner, Petruchio. The Acting Company also includes: Jeffrey Baumgartner, Tiffany Yvonne Cox, Max Ganet, José Antonio García, Eric Leonard, Kate LoConti, Robert Joseph Miller, Matthew Sherbach, Mick Weber and Jarrod Zimmerman.

For more information on Chicago Shakespeare in the Parks, visit www.chicagoshakes.com/parks.

Photo Credit: Michael Brosilow.

Matt Mueller and Ericka Ratcliff

Matt Mueller and Ericka Ratcliff

Matt Mueller and Ericka Ratcliff with Company