The cast of “The Taming of the Shrew, Or Petruchio is Kated.” Courtesy of Shakespeare Theatre Company.
“The Taming of the Shrew,” one of Shakespeare’s earliest plays, is not as one of the more common plays to see in any regional circuit. Its plot follows Petruchio (Michael Burgos) as he aims to “tame” the notoriously unruly Kate (Maryanne Henderson) who must be married off before her much more sought-after younger sister, Bianca (Reese Cowley), can be wed. As a play which revolves around creating a more desirable woman according to Elizabethan standards, it is understandable that theatres are not racing to put on “Shrew.” Indeed, even outside of its problematic content, few of its characters are likable. Petruchio’s unearned confidence is grating; Kate is wild and mean; and Bianca is unabashedly manipulative in ways only a younger sibling can be. Director Shanara Gabrielle and her actors are certainly aware of this fact and do not aim to shy away from it. Rather, they accentuate the characters’ crude natures and ridiculous shenanigans to create a comedy that is more silly than misogynistic, particularly along with Gabrielle’s decision to combine Petruchio and Kate’s roles in their marriage.
…every actor is immensely capable.
This production of is a part of Shakespeare Theatre Company’s 2025 Summer Repertory, where MFA candidates from the STC Academy perform two plays (“The Taming of the Shrew, Or, Petruchio is Kated” and “King John,” alternating performances) at the end of their year-long intensive training program. In short, every actor is immensely capable. This is a production that is particularly well-suited for those new to Shakespeare, as the actors’ classical training ensures extra-sharp diction, a clear understanding of the text, and a high level of comfort with difficult physical actions. While there is no weak link in the cast, Burgos and Cammiel Hussey as Grumia are a particularly fun, comic duo. Gabrielle’s choice to make Bianca and Lucienta (usually Lucentio, played by Sydney Sinclair) a gay couple is well-executed by Sinclair and Cowley, bringing palpable chemistry to the table. Alex Ross as Hortensio is very successful in playing an annoying obstacle to Lucentia’s wooing of Bianca, earning a number of laughs and groans from the opening night audience.
These actors are intensely elevated by what seems to be a very fun space in which to play. Set design by Andrew Boyce is left over from STC’s previous production of “Frankenstein” and complements this production well. Lighting design by Minjoo Kim is fun and works in tandem with costume design by Becca Janney to create visuals which play with traditional concepts of gender. Pink and blue dominate the landscape, and Janney smartly combines Elizabethan pieces with modern clothing to build a timeless aesthetic. Matt Nielson’s sound design is downright hilarious, giving several on-stage bits extra laughs.
While a production of “The Taming of the Shrew” may understandably make some audiences wary, the actors in this version, with a different edit of the text, aim more to make you forget about real-world issues of misogyny, homophobia, and the like by laughing at their simple, yet effective, physical bits and comedic lines. This cut of of the play does make Petruchio and Kate a bit more confusing, but it is an admirable attempt to attack a play that is often better poised to make audiences groan rather than laugh. Burgos and Henderson’s commitment to physical comedy and the absurdity of their characters create a couple that reads as the weird family members that you never could quite figure out.
This is a good production for both those that are very new to Shakespeare, but also for those who are committed to trying to see all of his plays. All in all, it is a great opportunity to see a very competent cast perform a rarer Shakespeare for only $20. I am eager to see how this group of MFA candidates use their year of classical training to further enhance the DMV’s theater scene.
Running Time: Two hours with one 20-minute intermission.
“The Taming of the Shrew, Or, Petruchio is Kated,” runs through July 26, 2025 at Shakespeare Theatre Company, Klein Theatre, 450 7th St NW, Washington D.C. 20004. For more information and to purchase tickets, please go online.
