Closer Look: Synopsis

The show begins with a new contemporary “framing device”: we meet some of the audience members for whom the story of Katherine and Petruchio is being performed and begin to understand some of their preconceptions about those roles.

Then we enter Renaissance-era Padua, Italy, where newcomer Lucentio falls instantly in love with Bianca, who is already being courted by two locals. Bianca’s mother Baptista has declared that Bianca’s older sister Katherine must be married first, and the suitors despair of this ever happening, since they disapprove of Katherine’s behavior. Lucentio disguises himself to secretly woo Bianca, while his servant Tranio “becomes” Lucentio to fulfill his responsibilities.

Meanwhile, another newcomer, Petruchio, agrees to marry Katherine for her dowery, despite her reputation. Katherine and Petruchio meet, and sparks fly. Petruchio insists to Baptista that he and Katherine are agreed, and Baptista sets the wedding day over Katherine’s protests.

Bianca’s wooers continue to fight amongst themselves, while she secretly falls in love with the disguised Lucentio.

Petruchio’s behavior at his wedding shocks everyone and persists even after he and Katherine return to his home in Verona. His ridiculous attempts to negotiate his new relationship continue to fail until the couple is called back to Padua for Bianca’s wedding. On the road, a chance meeting allows Katherine and Petruchio to enjoy each other for the first time since their initial meeting, and they rediscover their spark.

In Padua, Lucentio and Bianca’s secret courtship is revealed, and a bet between the new husbands provides a chance for Katherine to show her strength, intelligence, and wit when she offers advice to new brides about what a marriage is really about.

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Closer Look: Summer Camp

For nearly 30 years, Cincinnati Shakespeare’s Theatre Summer Camp has provided students with a camp experience unlike any in the Tri-State. Campers work with members of Cincinnati Shakespeare’s professional resident ensemble, staging scenes, learning the tricks of the trade, gaining confidence, and often finding an inclusive community of friends that lasts well beyond the summer.

To learn more and register, visit cincyshakes.com/summercamp

JUNE 5-9, 2023: FOR THE LOVE OF MONEY (High School Grades 9-12)

The greedy characters in Shakespeare’s Timon of Athens will learn their lesson when the wealthy and powerful Timon decides that he is done trusting humanity and friendship. Explore Shakespeare’s most ambiguous play with college-level acting techniques and stage combat, combined with set and costume designs.

JUNE 12-16, 2023: THERE SHE LIES, A PEARL (High School Grades 9-12)

Shakespeare's mythological heroes of Troilus and Cressida are notorious for their narrow-mindedness and shallow nature, qualities which lead to comical adventures. Come play and explore the comedic nuance of character building, especially when characters keep making the same mistakes over and over again. A camp full of physical comedy in acting, dance and stage combat.

JUNE 19-23, 2023: BEWARE, FOR I AM FEARLESS (Middle Grades 6-8)

Revenge is a dish best served cold. Shakespeare’s farcically spooky play, Titus Andronicus, will teach you the ingredients to help stir up trouble on the stage. Frighten audiences by making your own frightfully realistic props, and learn the ropes to telling spooky and gory stories with a Frankensteinian spin.

JUNE 26-30, 2023: A WITTY FOOL OR A FOOLISH WIT (Middle Grades 6-8)

Life can be too serious, so let’s clown around as we explore Shakespeare’s greatest clowns, fools, and jesters. Make ‘em laugh with physical comedy like Dogberry in Much Ado About Nothing. Play the fool like Feste in Twelfth Night, with slap stick clown gags. Explore improvisation, commedia masks performance and craft, comedic stage combat, and dance choreography!

JULY 10-14, 2023: O BRAVE NEW WORLD! (Elementary Grades 1-5)

Far away, on a fairytale-like island, enchanting magic and spellbinding sounds take a devious turn thanks to tormented royals, mischievous spirits, and a half-man, half-fish. Meet these magical characters of The Tempest and create your own brave new world by building harpy costumes, Prospero’s magic staff, and Ariel’s wings!

JULY 17-21, 2023: MIDSUMMER MADNESS (Elementary Grades 1-5)

Explore the deep and fantastical depths of a magical forest where powerful fairies play tricks on each other, lovers hide in the woods, and amateur actors practice. Get silly with A Midsummer Night’s Dream and learn how to create the voices of all the fun characters in this play while building your own puppet show!

JULY 24-28, 2023: ALL THE WORLD’S A STAGE (Elementary Grades 1-5)

Love at first sight? Gross! When a princess is banished, she flees to a forest in disguise and meets a ragtag group of wanderers along the way. What follows is a series of romantic comedy shenanigans and adventure! “Cure” the love sick characters and disguise yourself as fairytale types with theatrical performances, set building, and costume designs as you re-create the world of As You Like It.