DIRECTOR'S NOTE
There is no doubt that "Taming of the Shrew" is a problem play. The misogyny that pervades the play is obnoxious to modern audiences, and each director and each production has to deal with that problem. It is unfortunate that this problem exists because, beneath the chauvinism of the Petrucchio-Kate story, "Shrew" is a very funny screwball comedy, and it's that aspect of the play that we have tried to bring out.
I have opted to use modern costumes and props, but this should not be interpreted as a message that the story is relevant to today. It is not. The story is set in 16th Century Italy, and, in fact, the basic elements of the story - arranged marriages, dowries, the necessity of parents' approval for any match - just do not make sense today. The use of updated costumes and props is (aside from economic considerations) intended to make the characters more recognizable (and therefore funnier) to a 21st Century audience.
It is doubtful that Shakespeare's audiences took this play seriously, or expected any woman to praise subservience as Kate does in her final monologue. It is more likely that Shakespeare was merely pandering to the fantasies of his male audiences. We have opted for a different motivation for Kate's final speech (but I will not reveal any spoilers.) With all that in mind, enjoy the show and laugh plentifully!
