The Nevada Conservatory Theatre at UNLV, awarded Best of Las Vegas for 2011 by the Las Vegas Review-Journal, opens its 2011-2012 season with William Shakespeare's "The Taming of the Shrew" at 8 p.m. Sept. 16 in the Black Box Theatre on campus.
Petruchio, a gentleman of Verona, courts Katherina, the headstrong, obdurate shrew. Initially, Katherina is an unwilling participant in the relationship, but Petruchio tempers her with various psychological torments - the "taming" - until she is an obedient bride. Shakespeare's battle of the sexes has been adapted to opera, screen and musical theatre and remains one of his most popular comedies.
Todd Espeland directs. Espeland is Artistic Director of Commedia Zuppa and a second year MFA candidate in Directing. He earned his bachelor of arts in Theatre at UNLV, and did extensive post-graduate work in Mask, Clown, Commedia Dell'Arte and Physical Theatre at the renowned Dell'Arte School of Physical Theatre in Blue Lake, California. With Commedia Zuppa, Todd has toured work nationally and internationally, directed and served as a specialist Off-Broadway, at many regional theatres colleges and universities. He is a specialist in mask and movement actor training and has been an artist in residence at the Kalamazoo College Department of Theatre for the last 8 years.
The cast includes Taylor Hanes, Melissa Ritz, Victoria Spelman, Alan Dronek, Billy Reed, Michael Delarosa, Tyler Hastings, Josh Nadler, Jordan Fenn, Justin Quintos, Sean Badidles, Leah Medina, Sean Cancellieri, Alex Olson, Charles Gonzalez, and Dakota Baker.
Performance and Ticket Information
Performances are Sept. 16-17 and Sept. 21-24 at 8 p.m., and Sept. 18 and 25 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $15 general admission/$13 for children and on sale at the UNLV Performing Arts Center Box Office. Special rates are available for groups of 15 or more. Performing Arts Center Box Office hours are Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Contact the Performing Arts Center box office by calling 895-ARTS (2787). Season tickets are available.
