fbpx

The Taming of the Shrew

Katherina must marry before her sister Bianca. But her lack of interest in marriage does not stop Petruccio from pursuing, and eventually winning, her hand. This complicated play displays Katherina’s impeccable wit and Petruccio’s manipulative nature as he attempts to shape her into an obedient wife.

Icons-Taming of the Shrew-white

Play On Shakespeare > Comedy > The Taming of the Shrew

At a Glance

Tragicomedy • Family • Love

Artists

Playwright

Artist Headshot

Amy Freed

Read Bio +

Dramaturg

Drew Lichtenberg headshot

Drew Lichtenberg

Read Bio +

Productions, Readings & Workshops

The Taming of the Shrew

May 10 – 26, 2024 | African-American Shakespeare Company | Production | San Francisco, CA, USA
Continue reading…

Taming of the Shrew Exploratory Workshop

April 2022 | Exploratory Workshop | Theater Breaking Through Barriers
Continue reading…

Play On Podcasts

The Taming of the Shrew

By William Shakespeare

In a Modern Verse Translation by Amy Freed

Directed by Art Manke

Radio Play Adapted by Amy Freed and Leanna Keyes

Amy Freed’s translation of The Taming of the Shrew is presented as a satire in which the two smartest people in the room come together to tame the society that surrounds them. The series is set in Renaissance Italy and includes a cast of seasoned pros, including Allen Gilmore, Susannah Rogers, Danny Scheie, Annie Abrams, Mike McShane, Rob Nagle, Tessa Auberjonois, Kasey Mahaffy, Kyle Hester, Tom Patterson, and J.Paul Boehmer.

Listen on Play On Podcasts

Paperback & eBooks

The Taming of the Shrew

By William Shakespeare
Translation by Amy Freed

Amy Freed rewrites The Taming of the Shrew, one of the more problematic plays in the Shakespeare canon.​

While beloved for its sharp dialogue and witty banter, The Taming of the Shrew offers a problematic storyline that many have deemed misogynistic. The play contains insensitive gags and uneasy politics, making it difficult for modern audiences to connect with the text. Amy Freed’s new translation reactivates the original story, blowing away the dust and cobwebs. As Freed’s text reminds us, at its heart The Taming of the Shrew is a story about courage and authenticity.

Buy Now from ACMRS Press

Production History

June 1, 2019

Play On! Festival NYC

Rehearsal and Staged Reading directed by Jackson Gay with full cast as part of the Play On! Translation Festival in NYC.

Produced by:
Play On! / Classic Stage / Oregon Shakespeare Festival

Request a Perusal Script

If you are interested in a perusal script copy, producing a translation, or learning more about what these translations look like in production, we welcome you to get in touch!

We encourage all interested in producing Play On translations or adaptations to familiarize yourself with our mission statement. Play On is committed to working with partners who meet the criteria of our mission.

Please use the form below and a Play On team member will be in touch as soon as possible!

Request A Perusal Script

Check out more comedies!

All’s Well That Ends Well

Helena will go to any length to ensure that Bertram falls in love with her. But how far is too far?

As You Like It

One of Shakespeare’s most popular pastoral romances, As You Like It is a series of mistaken identities between lovers and friends in the Forest of Arden.

The Comedy of Errors

Two families. Two sets of twins. And just enough riotous humor! THE COMEDY OF ERRORS is a story full of miscommunications and mistaken identities sure to bring audiences to tears of laughter.

Cymbeline

Tragically separated after the discovery of their secret marriage, Imogen and Leonatus find themselves in quite the dilemma full of marriage plots and lies.

Love’s Labour’s Lost

Four men forswear women… that is, until they have to host a princess and three of her women. But will the women return their love?

Measure for Measure

Newly appointed deputy to rule Vienna, Lord Angelo enforces tyrannical law against immorality in the city. After convicting Claudio with the death sentence for premarital sex, his sister Isabella seeks out Angelo to beg for mercy. But at what cost will she go to save her brother?

The Merchant of Venice

Bossanio asks the Jewish moneylender, Shylock, for a loan to help him court the wealthy Portia, and does so on behalf of the antisemetic merchant, Antonio. Shylock agrees to the loan, but if within three months the loan hasn’t been paid, Shylock demands a pound of Antonio’s flesh.

The Merry Wives of Windsor

Falstaff finds himself in a predicament of financial troubles. His resolve? He seduces the wives of two wealthy merchants in hopes to better his financial standing. However, these witty women discover his plot, and they plan their own hilarious revenge.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream

Four Athenians run away into the forest after Hermia’s father, Duke Theseus, rejects marriage prospects between his daughter and her love, Lysander. And in the forest, Oberon, King of the Fairies, tries to fix the four broken hearts – accidentally resulting in disaster.

Much Ado About Nothing

For some, love begins at first sight. For others, love has been forsworn. Much Ado About Nothing follows the story of two men: Claudio, who fights for his love for Hero, and Benedick, who has forsworn women until his friends make him believe that he has caught the eye of Lady Beatrice.

Pericles

Pericles, Prince of Tyre follows the journeys of the heroic figure, Pericles, as he searches for those he loves.

The Tempest

In an attempt to wreak revenge upon his brother, Antonio, and the King of Naples, Prospero uses magic to conjure a storm to wreck the nobles’ ship on his island where Prospero lives with his daughter, Miranda. But while Prospero focuses on his own revenge plot, an unexpected love story begins to take place between Miranda and the king’s son Ferdinand.

Twelfth Night

As war rages around them, Trojan prince Troilus falls in love with the beautiful Cressida. But after she is traded to the Greek camp and agrees to be with another man, Troilus witnesses her unfaithfulness and vows to focus his efforts into winning the war.

The Two Gentlemen of Verona

When two best friends fall in love with the same woman, chaos ensues. Proteus is determined to destroy the betrothal of his friend, Valentine, and the lovely Silvia, but he also forgets his own beloved Julia in the midst. Resolved to win back his love, Julia travels to Milan to find Proteus. 

The Winter’s Tale

Artists Productions Podcast Publication Timeline Related Posts At a Glance Artists Playwright Dramaturg Productions, Readings & Workshops Paperback & eBooks The Winter’s Tale By William Shakespeare Translation by Tracy Young Tracy Young offers a new version of Shakespeare’s difficult tale…