Catholic Diocese of Spokane, Washington

From the

Official News Magazine of the Diocese of Spokane

(From the July 30, 2009 edition of the Inland Register)

The Way-Off Broadway Theatre Company presents Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew next month in the courtyard of Gonzaga Prep in Spokane. Above: Petruchio explains how he intends to “tame” the shrewish Katherine. From left are Dan Seibert (Tranio), Jesuit Father Kevin Connell (Baptista), Bing Blalock (Grumio), Michael Heye (Petruchio), and Justin Leedy (Hortensio). Father Connell is directing the production as well. (IR photo courtesy of The Way-Off Broadway Theatre Company)

The Way-Off Broadway Theatre Group, featuring Gonzaga University’s theater community, will be staging free outdoor performances of Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew in the courtyard on the west side of the campus of Gonzaga Prep, 1224 E. Euclid in Spokane.

Performances – “family-friendly” – are scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 8-9 and 15-16, all at 2 p.m.

Jesuit Father Kevin Connell, principal of Gonzaga Prep, is directing the production. He describes the play as “a riotous comedy of romance, mistaken identities, and the ultimate battle of the sexes. Sharp wits, sharper words, and the occasional blunt instrument are freely exchanged between the hot-blooded Petruchio and the headstrong Katherine as they battle their way to true love. Wild slapstick, some of Shake-speare’s slyest romantic humor, and a rogues gallery of colorful characters (about half of whom are pretending to be someone else) make The Taming of \ the Shrew the perfect entertainment for a summer afternoon.”

Besides directing, Father Connell will play the father of Katherine and Bianca.

The actors, all Gonzaga University students, will be in modern dress. “We hope to hold the running time to 90 minutes,” said Father Connell.

“I would love to someday look back on this production as the first of an annual ‘Spokane Summer Shakespeare Festival,’” he said.

Father Connell directed The Last Days of Judas Iscariot earlier this year at GU.

Both admission and parking are free.