The Shakespeare Conference: SHK 10.0861  Friday, 14 May 1999.

From:           Harry Teplitz <
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Date:           Thursday, 13 May 1999 23:33:36 -0500 (CDT)
Subject:        Taming of the Shrew and Cross-casting

Hi all,

I was very interested to read the comments on the Washington Shakespeare
Company all-female Taming of the Shrew.  I have just directed a
completely cross-cast version of the play in Los Angeles, which we have
called "Kiss Me Nate".  (Our Petruchio is "Patricia" and our Katherine
is "Nathaniel", etc.)

I have always felt that the play as written presents very complex
problems for a modern audience.  Altering the gender of the characters,
to me, makes the play much easier to take.  "Taming" a woman is not
something I can readily accept at the end of the 20th century, but
strangely taming a man is fine with me.  I can imagine that an
all-female approach would also solve some problems.

And now for the shameless plug:

        Kiss Me Nate
        Sundays May 16,23,30 at 8pm
        Rose Alley Theater
        318 Lincoln Blvd
        Los Angeles
        call (310) 208-3701 for more information

Cheers,
        -- Harry Teplitz