Theatre News Wire

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) announced today casting for Short Shakespeare! The Taming of the Shrew, a 75-minute abridged production of Shakespeare's lively battle of the sexes adapted and staged by Jeff Award-winning director Rachel Rockwell. Providing the opportunity for adults to give young people in their lives a high-energy introduction to Shakespeare on Saturday mornings from February 25 to April 7, 2012, the cast of Rockwell's production includes CST favorite Ericka Ratcliff, who performs the role of strong-willed Katherina after appearing in Chicago Shakespeare's Jeff Award-winning Shakespeare "hip-hoptation" Funk It Up About Nothin' at CST, Scotland's Edinburgh Festival Fringe, London and a six-week Australian tour. Performing the role of Katherina's sparring partner, Petruchio, is Matt Mueller, whose credits include numerous productions at the Utah and Colorado Shakespeare Festivals. Five-time Jeff Award nominee Don Forston returns as Baptista after performing the role of Geppetto in Rockwell's acclaimed world premiere CST Family musical The Adventures of Pinocchio last summer. Local comedic actor Alex Goodrich returns to CST to perform the role of Tranio.

The wildly spirited Kate and machismo-driven Petruchio scream, fight and woo their way into one another's heart in Short Shakespeare! The Taming of the Shrew. Drawn together by their strong personalities almost against their will, the unlikely pair ultimately falls in love. Rockwell's production combines an adaptation of Shakespeare's original verse and Elizabethan dress with original rock-inspired music to connect young audiences with the characters' journeys. Immediately following each Saturday performance, actors remain on stage for a discussion with the audience, and afterward audience members are invited to join the actors for one-on-one conversations and photo opportunities in CST's lobbies.

Additional actors returning to Chicago Shakespeare for Short Shakespeare! The Taming of the Shrew are Jeffrey Baumgartner as Vicentio, Jessie Fisher as Biondella, Jose Antonio García as Curtis, Nicholas Harazin as Lucentio, Eric Leonard as Pedant, Matthew Sherbach as Hortensio and Mick Weber as Gremio. The ensemble is rounded out by Tiffany Yvonne Cox as Bianca and Terrence Mosley as Grumio.

Jeff Award-winning Chicago director Rachel Rockwell returns to Chicago Shakespeare Theater to adapt and direct Short Shakespeare! The Taming of the Shrew after staging CST's critically acclaimed, world premiere family musicals The Adventures of Pinocchio and The Emperor's New Clothes. Her work as a choreographer has been seen on CST's stages in productions including The Merry Wives of Windsor, Romeo and Juliet and Measure for Measure. In addition to regional credits throughout the country, Rockwell's Chicago-area directing and choreography credits include Jeff Award-winning productions at The Marriott Theatre, Apple Tree Theatre, Noble Fools Theatricals and Drury Lane Oakbrook, where Rockwell garnered a Jeff Award for Best Director for Ragtime.

Joining Rockwell's production team for Short Shakespeare! The Taming of the Shrew are Scenic Designer Kevin Depinet, Costume Designer Jacqueline Firkins, Lighting Designer Jesse Klug, Sound Designer James Savage, Composer Kevin O'Donnell, Wig and Makeup Designer Melissa Veal, Properties Master Chelsea Meyers and Verse Coach Kevin Gudahl.