Taming Shakespeare

"Often in college productions, directors first envision their characters, then cast around until they find the actors that best fit their ideals," said Eric Rosen '02, who is president of the Princeton Shakespeare Company and director of the upcoming play, "The Taming of the Shrew."

But according to Rosen (who is a Daily Princetonian Arts Editor, "it can work much better when you know what you're working with, and then choose a play that accentuates the strengths of the cast."

In choosing "The Taming of the Shrew" as the company's latest venture, Rosen was mindful of not only his cast, but his audience and environment as well. Rather than a traditional setting, the play will unfold in the context of a 1950s sitcom, with the domestic trimmings of "Leave It to Beaver" and "The Donna Reed Show."

Rosen explained that he chose this setting because it reflects a time of strictly defined gender roles and expectations, a time when "Mother always had a martini waiting for Father when he came home, and Father always knew best."

In contrast, the title character of "The Taming of the Shrew," Katherina, scoffs at the traditions of marriage and courtship, challenging the gender expectations of her society. Remarkably, in projecting the script onto the new setting, Rosen didn't have to change the original text except for some cuts, a sign that the adaptation works.

In addition, "The Taming of the Shrew" is about young people, at "an age and situation that college-age actors can bring their own experiences and youth to," Rosen explained.

"They can understand these characters better than more mature roles that they might not have the experience to bring to life," he said.

Rosen said he feels that this important distinction will make the absorption of the play easier on both the actors and the audience.

Ironically, in the April issue of the Atlantic Monthly, journalist David Brooks deems the Princeton undergraduate student body a population of "perky conformists," with an "upbeat 1962 pre-assassination innocence."

In his article "The Organization Kid," Brooks describes Princeton students of today as optimistic and hardworking, with an ingrained respect for authority — the "elite" of their generation.

This meticulous, scrubbed-clean image blends perfectly into the scenery of a 1950s sitcom, where the polished extremes of society parade as reality in the gleam of the spotlight.

"The Taming of the Shrew," with Katherina's rebellious battle-cry as its chorus, provides a lively answer to this stereotype. The play's outcome is usually read in one of two ways, representing either the conformation of the feisty heroine to her husband's and society's ideals, or her complete mockery of them.

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Rosen admits that "it would be impossible to put on a version of this play without a little ambiguity," but you'll have to see the show to find out how Teresa Principe '02 will resolve the issue as Katherina.

The Princeton Shakespeare Company's rendition of "The Taming of the Shrew" promises to be fresh, and, in light of Brooks' opinion of Princeton students, pertinent to our time. Running in less than two hours, the show should be a fun, fast-paced break from the frenzy of theses and junior papers. The show will run for three nights only, tonight through Saturday at 8 p.m. in Richardson Auditorium. To purchase tickets, call 258-5000 or visit the box office.