The Taming of the Shrew

The Taming of the Shrew is one of Shakespeare's earliest comedies, and was inspired by classical Roman comedy and the Italian commedia dell'arte. Baptista Minola, a rich gentleman of Padua, has two daughters: Katherina, renowned for her sharp tongue, and Bianca, who is sought after by multiple suitors. Baptista decides that Bianca cannot marry until her elder sister finds a husband. Enter Petruchio, who has come to "wive it wealthily in Padua," and who is convinced by Bianca's suitors to woo Katherina. The play ultimately poses the question of who is the bigger shrew: Kate or Petruchio. The subplot involves the subterfuge employed by Lucentio to woo the lovely Bianca. (Summary by Elizabeth Klett)

Cast:
Lord: Bob Sherman
Christopher Sly: David Lawrence
Hostess, Widow: Neeru Iyer
Page: Arielle Lipshaw
Players, Tranio, Nicholas: Elizabeth Klett
First Huntsman, Peter: Glenn Simonsen
Servant, Haberdasher, Nathaniel: Laurie Anne Walden
Baptista Minola: Ernst Pattynama
Vincentio: Mark F. Smith
Lucentio: mb
Petruchio: Bellona Times
Gremio: Rat King
Hortensio: Miriam Esther Goldman
Biondello: Matthew Ward
Grumio: Denny Sayers
Curtis: MGVestal
Pedant: Tom Hackett
Katherina: Kristin Hughes
Bianca: Musicalheart1
Tailor, Second Servant: Michael Wolf
Second Huntsman: Katalina Watt
First Servant: Abigail Bartels
Third Servant: von
Joseph: redaer
Philip: Lucy Perry
Narrator: Availle

Audio edited by: Elizabeth Klett and Arielle Lipshaw (2 hr 26 min)

Chapters

Induction	18:07	Read by LibriVox Volunteers
Act 1	29:06	Read by LibriVox Volunteers
Act 2	21:53	Read by LibriVox Volunteers
Act 3	19:01	Read by LibriVox Volunteers
Act 4	39:21	Read by LibriVox Volunteers
Act 5	18:56	Read by LibriVox Volunteers

Reviews

Classic Joy

(5 stars)

George Danar

This presentation of a classic was a joy to listen to. The readers did a good job. Just not sure if the sentiment toward women's roles even remotely apply any more. But the play still is entertaining.

Not A comedy for the Faint of Heart

(3 stars)

R. J. Sheffler

Feminists beware of the Taming of The Shrew. Everyone else, enjoy a comedy where playing on words takes center stage.

A Good production of an intriguing play

(4 stars)

A LibriVox Listener

Yes, it's not exactly the perfect picture if a man's leadership in marriage, so just listen to a Chris Mueller sermon and then it with a grain of salt, and it's an intriguing and entertaining play. Some of the readers are pretty average, but on the whole, it's a good production.

(3 stars)

Scarlett G.

okay book/play, well read. I listened because I loved the movie ten things I hate about you as a girl, the movie was based on the play. I can definitely see the inspiration behind the movie in this play. I like the movie more but it's nice to see where the idea came from.