Union County's Shakespeare in the Park Tour of THE TAMING OF THE SHREW Kicks Off in Plainfield

The summer tour of Shakespeare's outrageously fun comedy The Taming of the Shrew kicks off at the Shakespeare Garden at Cedar Brook Park in Plainfield on Sunday, July 16 at 1 p.m.

"This summer's tour of Shakespeare's classic romantic-comedy The Taming of the Shrew in our parks provides an opportunity for residents of all ages to experience the clever and compelling language of Shakespeare," said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen.

Pack a picnic and bring a blanket or lawn chair and head out to the Shakespeare Garden at Cedar Brook Park this Sunday to enjoy The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey's Next Stage Ensemble's abridged performance of the zesty, romantic comedy of male chauvinism and women's rights in the 16th century. Sponsored by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders, this free performance is too fun to miss.

Petruchio, a poverty-stricken gentleman from Verona, journeys to Padua in search of a wealthy wife. There, he encounters the fiery Katharina, a self-willed shrew who engages Petruchio in a humorous battle of wit and insult with Kate as determined to maintain her independence as Petruchio is to "tame" her.

Additional performances in Union County parks include:

Sunday, July 23 at Raymond Wood Bauer Promenade (amphitheater) in Linden at 7 p.m.

Friday, August 4 at Echo Lake Park in Mountainside at 7 p.m.

Admission is free to each of the three performances.

The Next Stage Ensemble, the Shakespeare Theatre's summer touring company of early career actors, is part of the Theatre's Summer Professional Training Program which offers students working toward a career in the performing arts clear instruction, individual attention, and thoughtful and candid evaluation in a professional theatre environment. The Next Stage Ensemble works with The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey's resident and guest directors to fully develop abridged productions of classic plays. Come out to Union County parks this summer to the see Next Stage Ensemble's performance of Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew.

For more information or for a complete listing of summer events visit ucnj.org.

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