THE TAMING OF THE SHREW

Circle Players proudly presents our second production in our 53rd season

THE TAMING OF THE SHREW
the original romantic comedy

by William Shakespeare of Stratford-on-Avon

Directed by Rob Pherson of Somerset

Produced by Carole McGee of Westfield

Poor Kate (Patti Murtha of South River) is too outspoken to attract a man. Poor Bianca (Jennifer Wewers-Sharp of Glen Gardner) can't get married until after her shrewish sister Kate finds a husband. Poor Baptista (Catherine Rowe of Somerset) has to provide for two daughters, and she apparently needs a husband of her own. Neighbor Gremio (Jon Heron of New Brunswick) is worthy, but a bit long in the tooth for his desired object, Bianca. Hortensio (Al Contursi of Middlesex) also wants Bianca, even though he's being stalked by a wealthy widow (Carla Phoenix of North Plainfield). Lucentio (Greg DePetro of East Brunswick) was sent to town to attend university, accompanied by his servants Tranio (David Neal of Fanwood) and Biondella (Ana Kalet of Franklin Park). Now Lucentio, too, has fallen under Bianca's spell.

Then the answer to everyone's prayer arrives in the person of loose cannon Petruchio (Paul Salvatoriello of South Orange). He's willing to brave a hundred shrews for a fat dowry, and his trusty servant Grumio (Scott Shappell of Parsippany) will go along with whatever scheme he hatches to achieve his object. Soon the air is thick with plots and masquerades, including one that involves a Pedant (Martin Brilliant of Holmdell) impersonating Lucentio's father Vincentio. Then the real Vincentio (Joseph Porter of Piscataway) arrives on the scene, plots unravel and knots get tied, but who tames who in the end?

Circle Players is located at 416 Victoria Avenue, Piscataway, NJ 08854. Show dates are November 4 to November 20, 2005, Friday and Saturday evenings at 8:00 p.m. and November 13 and 20, Sunday matinees at 3:00 p.m. Tickets are $15.00 on Fridays and Saturdays, $12.00 on Sundays, $1 off any performances for Seniors and Students. Sorry, no credit cards accepted. For reservations and information call 732-968-7555.

DISASTER RELIEF FUNDRAISER

The victims of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita continue to need help in rebuilding their lives after the devastations on the Gulf Coast. One of the most efficient ways to help them is to contribute to the American Red Cross. Each year, the American Red Cross responds immediately to more than 70,000 disasters, including house or apartment fires (the majority of disaster responses), hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, tornadoes, hazardous materials spills, transportation accidents, explosions, and other natural and man-made disasters.

To raise money for the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, there will be a special presentation of the Villagers New Playwrights Series of staged readings on Monday evening, October 31. The program will begin at 8:00 p.m. in the Zaidi (Black Box) Theatre. The minimum suggested donation is $20. All monies raised by the reading will be donated to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund and matched through Johnson & Johnson.

The first play on the program is COPIOUS TEARS by M. Lennon Perricone of North Brunswick. Mr. Perricone will direct the reading of his play. Sally O’Neil of Brookside and Catherine Rowe of Somerset will be reading roles written especially for them. COPIOUS TEARS is a thoughtful examination of American attitudes toward the death penalty, funneled through the experiences of two women whose lives are touched by violent tragedy. Mr. Perricone is planning to submit his play to the Tennessee Williams/New Orleans Literary Festival. According to the Festival website, “If we have to shine flashlights at the stage, the Tennessee Williams/New Orleans Literary Festival will take place as scheduled March 29-April 2 in the French Quarter.”

The second short play of the evening is GROUP by Audra Lord of Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. Audra lived in New Jersey and was active in community theatres here prior to moving to the Detroit area. GROUP is a comedy revolving around three women who gather in an unused classroom for a women’s support group meeting. The reading will be directed by Catherine Rowe Pherson, producer of the annual Villagers New Playwrights Series. Liz Mahon of Union Beach, Leigh Mann of Matawan and Sara Peters of New Brunswick will play the women of the GROUP.

The Villagers Theatre is located at 415 DeMott Lane, in the Franklin Township Municipal Complex in Somerset, New Jersey. Directions to the theatre can be obtained by calling 732-873-2710, or by visiting the Villagers’ website www.villagerstheatre.com.