First City Shakespeare to present ‘The Taming of the Shrew’

This mid-19th century watercolor shows Katherine and Petruchio, lead characters in William Shakespeare’s “The Taming of the Shrew.” First City Shakespeare will present an adaption of the play Feb. 10-12 at the Swan Neck Meadery & Winery. [James Dromgole Linton | Special to the Press Gazette]

PENSACOLA — Petruchio is determined to marry Katherina, and she is just as determined to remain single in First City Shakespeare’s production of William Shakespeare’s "The Taming of the Shrew."

Company member Michelle Hancock adapted the play, coming Feb. 10-12 to the Swan Neck Meadery & Winery, and stripped it to a running time under one hour.

Directors Mike and DeeDee Brustad infuse the production with a hint of magic and Voodoo by moving the play from Renaissance Italy to New Orleans, circa 1959. In the city, Petruchio and Kate find themselves helpless to resist each other, despite their faults.

Adding humor before each scene, one of the performers will be chosen at random to down an alcoholic shot.

The cast includes KJ Brustad, Danielle Hall, Michelle Hancock, David Matthews and Aneta Rude.

First City Shakespeare serves as a support organization for the Southeastern Teen Shakespeare Company, a nonprofit corporation that provides instruction and performance opportunities for teens in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.

First City Shakespeare supports the work of the teen company through fundraisers like "The Taming of the Shrew."

WHAT: "The Taming of the Shrew"

WHEN: 9 p.m. Feb. 10; 7 p.m. Feb. 11 and 12

WHERE: Swan Neck Meadery & Winery, 2115 W. 9 Mile Road 9, Pensacola

TICKETS: $15 each

DETAILS: 662-278-8383, or visit www.setsco.org.

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This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: First City Shakespeare to present ‘The Taming of the Shrew’