The Taming
of the Shrew
September 16
November 12, 2017
CST's Courtyard Theater
by William Shakespeare
conceived & directed by Barbara Gaines
Columbia Women’s Club scenes by Ron West
The Taming
Lead Production Sponsors
A blast…not only intelligent but exuberantly theatrical
Chicago Tribune
High-driving energy and a playful sense of sisterhood… the cast of 13 women is top hat
Chicago Sun-Times
The Play
Before they had the vote, they had a voice. Renowned for her thoroughly original and theatrical approach to Shakespeare, Artistic Director Barbara Gaines now brings audiences a witty, thought-provoking debate on power, politics, and love. The year is 1919. Amidst suffrage marches, members of a Chicago women’s club convene to rehearse their upcoming production of The Taming of the Shrew. Along the way, they both perform Shakespeare’s play and re-examine the characters’ status in society—as well as their own. Longtime Second City writer Ron West has penned additional dialogue to help set the scene in the uniquely personal setting of CST’s Courtyard Theater, as the women fight through adversity to present their own perspective on Katherine and Petruchio’s raucous courtship.
WATCH & LISTEN
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Critical Acclaim
"Barbara Gaines and writer Ron West have come up with an inspired solution to Shakespeare’s comedy about the war between the sexes."
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A Conversation with the Director
Artistic Director Barbara Gaines talks about why now is the right time to revisit the Shrew.
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About the Director
The award-winning director of more than 30 of Shakespeare's plays, Gaines strives to make his great works accessible to Chicago and the world.
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The Players
Creative Team
Barbara Gaines Director
Ron West Writer, Columbia Women's Club Scenes
Kevin Depinet Scenic Designer
Susan E. Mickey Costume Designer
Thomas Hase Lighting Designer
David Van Tieghem Sound Designer
Richard Jarvie Wig & Make-Up Designer
Kevin Gudahl Verse Coach
Bob Mason Casting
Nancy Piccione New York Casting
Cast
E. Faye Butler Baptista / Dr. Fannie Emmanuel
Lillian Castillo Biondello / Mrs. Lucinda James
Tina Gluschenko Hortensio / Mrs. Beatrice Ivey Welles
Cindy Gold Vincentio / Mrs. Sarah Willoughby
Alexandra Henrikson Katherine / Mrs. Louise Harrison
Ann James Pedant / Mrs. Elizabeth Nicewander
Heidi Kettenring Tranio / Mrs. Dorothy Mercer
Crystal Lucas-Perry Petruchio / Mrs. Victoria Van Dyne
Rita Rehn Grumio / Widow / Mrs. Mildred Sherman
Hollis Resnik Gremio / Miss Judith Smith
Faith Servant Curtis / Mrs. Barbara Starkey
Kate Marie Smith Lucentio / Mrs. Olivia Twist
Olivia Washington Bianca / Mrs. Emily Ingersoll