‘Taming of the Shrew’ brings Shakespeare to the Clark stage

Shakespeare returns to Clark this week as a troupe of Clark student actors presents “The Taming of the Shrew” in Little Center’s Michelson Theater. Tickets for the show — which will be performed March 13, 14, and 15 at 7 p.m., and March 15 and 16 at 2 p.m. — are free with a Clark ID.

Often considered the first romantic comedy, the play’s main plot depicts the courtship of Petruchio and Katherina, aka Kate — whose father says she must marry before he can allow her younger sister, Bianca, to do so. Initially, Katherina is an unwilling participant in the relationship, but Petruchio “tames” her into becoming an obedient bride … or does he? 

Because Petruchio uses a range of methods in his efforts to force Kate into submission — “This is a way to kill a wife with kindness,” he says — the play is often seen as problematic. Early 20th-century playwright George Bernard Shaw called it “one vile insult to womanhood and manhood from the first word to the last.” Theatre Arts Professor Gino DiIorio, director of the Clark production, disagrees.

“I’ve always loved the play,” he says. “There is more to it than what people see as abuse. It’s a romantic comedy about two people who go against the grain — the world doesn’t understand them.

“In academia, we don’t always treat Shakespeare’s comedies with a lot of respect,” he continues. “We want serious works that provide commentary on the world. But comedies are harder to act, they’re harder to write, and this play is brilliant, with so many layers. It’s zany and full of slapstick — we’re doing a lot of physical comedy — and that’s a great experience for both the audience and the actors.”

The actors, DiIorio adds, are a great group. “I haven’t had this much fun in years,” he says. He’s particularly proud that the cast and crew include both theatre arts majors and nonmajors, as well as first-year students. 

At the end of “The Taming of the Shrew,” Petruchio calls on Katherina to “tell these headstrong women what duty they do owe their lords and husbands.” This moment is sometimes presented with a wink, as she “lays it on thick,” DiIorio says. He doesn’t want to give away how her response is portrayed in the Clark production, but says, “I hope at the end you get a sense that these two people are very much in love.”

“The Taming of the Shrew” has inspired a number of film adaptions, including “10 Things I Hate About You” and “Deliver Us from Eva,” as well as the musical “Kiss Me, Kate.”