November 01, 2005
'The Taming of the Shrew' set for McLeod Theater
CARBONDALE, Ill -- William Shakespeare's comedic tale of a man's attempts to corral a stubborn, wily woman will hit the stage at McLeod Theater in November when Southern Illinois University Carbondale's theater department presents "The Taming of the Shrew."
The play, the second production during this year's 40th anniversary of McLeod Theater, will run Nov. 9-13. Performances on Nov. 9-12 will begin at 7:30 p.m. A pre-show lecture is set for 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 13, in the Christian Moe Laboratory Theater. The matinee performance follows at 2 p.m. that day.
Director Segun Ojewuyi, assistant professor in the Department of Theater, sets this story within a story during the Disco era of the 1970s, with platform shoes and wild flower prints setting the tone. Lecester Reed, a senior theater major from Zion, plays Petruchio, who aims to win over the wild Kate, played on alternating nights by Shavon Wagner, senior in theater from Carbondale, and Krista Atkinson of Carterville.
The production will treat the audience to splendid visuals, including a set designed by Jeff Luekenhaus, a graduate student in scenic design from Carbondale, featuring two spiral staircases. Jen Petersen, a graduate student in costuming from Hurst, designed 8-inch bell-bottom pants and James Diemer, a graduate student in lighting design, created a clever lighting scheme.
Tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for seniors and $6 for students and children. Tickets are available at the box office Monday-Friday noon-5:30 p.m. and one hour before each performance, or by calling 618/453-3001.
Enhancing cultural outreach efforts is among the goals of Southern at 150: Building Excellence Through Commitment, the blueprint the University is following as it approaches its 150th anniversary in 2019.