Pull Tight Players Present THE TAMING OF THE SHREW

Pull-Tight is honored to present William Shakespeare's comedy The Taming of the Shrew--our first main stage Shakespearean production--which is well into rehearsals for a January 29th opening night. Director Iain Macpherson and Producer Teresa Jones, ably assisted by newcomer Tanner Tuttle as Stage Manager, have gathered a cast of 17 very hard-working and enthusiastic members (11 of whom are brand new to Pull-Tight) and an equally enthusiastic crew to bring this comedy to our stage.

The Taming of the Shrew is full of action, comedy, and enough mistaken and hidden identities to keep the audience happily confused. Ribald, bawdy, farcical, and extremely funny and fast-moving, with Shakespeare's wordplay at its best, the play describes the courtship between the shrewish hot-tempered Katherine (played by Shannon Hoppe) and the canny and equally hot-tempered Petruchio (played by Josiah Gibbs), who is determined to subdue Katherine's legendary temper and win her dowry. Along with Katherine, there is her sister, the sweet Bianca (BekI Baker) and her suitors Gremio and Hortensio (Pete Hiett and Bill Jones), and the father Baptista (Billy Rosenberg).

Rounding out the cast are Jacob Paine as Lucentio, Russell Grant as Tranio, Kevin Nunn as Biondello,Dustin Harrington as Grumio, Stan Ferguson as Curtis, Claudia Finnegan as The Dressmaker, Cary Smith as The Pedant, Preston Crook as Vincentio,Mary Claire Reynolds as The Widow, with Melanie Dotson and Lana Witulski as Servants.

Backstage workers include T.J. Aiello (who assisted Director Macpherson with Set Design and Construction), Laurel Aiello and Anne Rittenberry (Costume Coordinators), and Steven Steele and Carmen Klapperich (Light Design and Light Execution).

The Taming of the Shrew takes place in Padua, in Renaissance Italy, and is performed in period costume.

Performance dates are January 29 and 30, February 4, 5, 6, 7, 12 and 13. There will be an interpreted performance (with signers Harriet Harms and Karla Kelso) on Thursday, February 4. All performances are at 7:30pm, except for Sunday February 7, which is a 2:30pm matinee. Doors open 30 minutes prior to curtain time. Tickets may be purchased beginning Monday, January 18. Ticket prices are $16 for adults, $14 for seniors (age 60 and up), and $12 for students (through high school), and may be purchased online through our website. Tickets may also be purchased by phoning (615) 791-5007 Tuesday through Friday between 10am and 4pm and charging to Visa or MasterCard.

Let's Prelude:
"The Taming of the Shrew and the Expense of Laughter"

Pull-Tight members and the general public are invited to the third in this season's Prelude series on Sunday, January 24, at 2pm at the theatre.

James Wells, Ph.D., Associate Professor of English and Director of the M.A. Program in English at Belmont University, will be our special guest, and will speak on "The Taming of the Shrew and the Expense of Laughter."

At Belmont, Professor Wells teaches courses in Shakespeare, Early Modern English Literature, British Literature, drama, and composition. Dr. Wells has published articles on Coriolanus and Macbeth and is the editor of The Second Part of Henry the Fourth for the New Kittredge Shakespeare series (2009). He has essays forthcoming on Henry V, The Taming of the Shrew, A Midsummer Night's Dream, and Shakespeare's language. He is also editing The Merry Wives of Windsor for the New Kittredge Series.

The cast of The Taming of the Shrew will open the Prelude with a brief scene from the show, followed by Dr. Wells's talk and discussion with the audience. The Prelude should last approximately one hour. Admission and refreshments are free, and Pull-Tight members and the general public are invited. Catering will be provided by Bistro To Go.

Pull-Tight's Prelude Series offers audiences a broader understanding of each Pull-Tight Main Season show by exploring an interesting aspect of the show with an expert. Preludes have served both as an introduction to Pull-Tight and our shows and as educational outreach to our community.

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