Town Players To Hold Auditions

For ‘Taming Of The Shrew’

Town Players announces auditions for its July production, William Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew, to be directed by Ruth Anne Baumgartner.

This play is one of Shakespeare’s earlier comedies, and the idea of a husband who must “tame” his wife to bear the yoke of marriage had already been used by other playwrights. Still, Shakespeare created characters that are richly human in a story with brilliant flashes of visual and verbal humor; and every role, large, medium, or small, is an actor’s joy.

Producing “Shrew” nowadays presents two major difficulties, says Ms Baumgartner, who teaches Shakespeare at Fairfield University. The “taming” plot seems to fly in the face of equality for women, and the film starring Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton continues to dominate our notions of how the play should be done.

Ms Baumgartner points out a third difficulty: the methods Petruchio uses to “tame” his wife may seem to us to be perilously close to torture.

The Town Players will address all these problems with their usual combination of strong and creative actors, historical and literary responsibility, and joie de vivre.

Twenty or more performers of various ages are needed — at least 12 men, three women, and one young man (teens). At least three of the men should be “older.” Good clowning skills are needed for several of the male roles.

Some actors may be cast in more than one role, and gender-blind casting is possible for some roles.

Kate and Petruchio have been cast; all other roles are open.

People who can sing madrigals, play lute or recorder, juggle, or tumble are welcome.

Children are not included in this audition.

Those interested in crew or tech work are warmly invited to attend the audition and speak with the producer.

Actors should arrive ready to read scenes from the script; those who have not previously worked with this director may also wish to present a prepared Shakespeare monologue. No assumed English accents, please.

Participation in this community theatre production is without pay. Performance dates are Fridays and Saturdays July 7–29, with a matinée scheduled for Sunday, July 23.

Auditions will be held May 8 and 9, from 7 to 9:30 pm, at Town Players’ Little Theatre, Orchard Hill Road (off Route 25 just north of Sand Hill Plaza). Call 203-270-9144 for directions to the theater.

For more information, email the director at RBaumgartner@mail.fairfield.edu or visit NewtownPlayers.org.