Photo courtesy of Cornerstone Photography
Lalanya Gunn (Katherine) and Michael Lindsay (Petruchio) in Shakespeare’s “Taming of the Shrew” to play at the Hillcrest Center for the Arts.
Shakespeare comedy to play at Hillcrest Theatre
July 3, 2008
Classics in the Park brings its production of “The Taming of the Shrew” indoors for four performances. Beginning Saturday July 12, “Shrew” will take over the Hillcrest Center for the Arts’ stage for a limited run.
One of Shakespeare’s earlier comedic plays believed to have been written between 1590–1594, “Shrew” takes place in Padua, Italy. The fun begins when Lucentio, arriving to pursue his education, is encouraged by his wily servant Tranio to indulge in the pleasures of youth as well. As it happens, a wealthy merchant, Baptista Minola, has two daughters, the ill-natured Katherine (called “Kate the cursed”) and her sister Bianca. Baptista tells Bianca’s two suitors, Gremio and Hortensio, that Bianaca cannot marry until Kate is wed. The rivals agree it will be hard to find someone for Kate, even though her dowry will be large, her temper is infamous. Nonetheless, Lucentio decides to woo Bianca for himself.
Luckily, Hortensio’s friend Petruchio arrives from Verona looking to wed a rich wife. Setting his sights on Kate, Petruchio sets out to “tame his shrew” – or does she tame him?
The Classics in the Park production, directed by Irene Silbert and produced by Michael Jordan, is filled with beautiful language and gender twists and promises to be thoroughly entertaining.
Michael Lindsay, who plays Petruchio, has performed on stage and in television and films for the past 30 years. He also provides Anime voiceover work in such cartoons as Naruto and Digimon. Lalanya Gunn, playing Katherine, holds a BFA from Niagara University and is pursuing a career in acting. She was most recently featured in VCGSRC’s production of “The Mikado” and the Conejo Player’s “The King and I”. Mary Carrig, who plays Tranio, is a classically trained actress and has studied extensively with Shakespeare and Company in Lenox, Massachusetts.
Rounding out the cast are Mark Goles as Gremio, Branden West as Hortensio, Jeremy Haines & Ari Radousky as Lucentio, Megan Crockett as Bianca, Suzanne Tobin & Irene Silbert as Baptista, Theresa Secor as Grumio, James Tobin as Biondello, Kaye Zimmermann as Widow & Tailor Dylan Lindsay as Curtis, , Michael Jordan as Vincentio, and Kyra Lindsay, Mariah Tobin, William Tobin and Suvi Utermohlen as servants.
This show has also become a family affair for the Tobin clan, including mother, Suzanne Tobin as Baptista, children James Tobin as Biondello, William and Mariah Tobin ( as Servants) who will be performing together in this summer's production. It isn't the first time members of the family have been cast together but only the second time the four have performed together.
This special “Limited Run” will be:
Saturday July 12, 2008 @ 8pm
Saturday July 19, 2008 @ 8pm
Saturday July 26, 2008 @ 8pm
Saturday August 9, 2008 @ 8pm
All shows will be at The Hillcrest Center for the Arts located at 403 W. Hillcrest Drive in Thousand Oaks.
General admission is $15.
For reservations please call Hillcrest Center box office at 805-381-1246.