Youth Theatre Workshop Tames the Shrew

The first production of this season at Putnam County Playhouse was "Kiss Me Kate," a popular musical re-telling of Shakespeare's "The Taming of the Shrew."

The Youth Theatre Workshop will present its own versions of the popular tale on June 27.

The middle school age performance will begin at 7 p.m. Tickets are $3 for ages 12 and up, those younger are admitted free. Tickets will only be available at the door when the box office opens at 6 p.m. that evening.

Following the first performance, there will be a 15-minute intermission, and then the high school group will present their show at 8 p.m.

There will be no advance sales and all tickets are general admission. For those wishing to attend only the second performance, $3 tickets will also be sold during intermission.

The middle school age group will be presenting "The Taming of the Shrew." It is being directed by Alisa Isaacs-Bailey with assistance from Tim Good and Roxanne Wheeler.

The cast spent an intense 10 days putting together the show. Isaacs-Bailey says she thinks the opportunity to work on a stage in front of an audience is great fun for the cast.

Appearing in this production in leading roles are Sofia Carillo as the title character, Dylan Bodnarick as the groom who tries to tame her, Hannah Brattain as her sister, and Ethan Gill as her father. The three suitors for the hand of her younger sister are Nathan Gizesiek, Elijah Brattain, and Alex Briones. Others in the cast include Chloe Maginity, Madeline Hayes, Libby Brush, Clara Parrish, and Katie Rose Parsons.

Others in the middle school group appearing will be Alina Carillo, Emma Bodnarick, Abe Anglin, Lily Spencer, Daniel Carillo, Alex Stoffregen, Taylor Runnels, Rebecca Moore, Susanna Howard, Callie Bailey, Chloe Bodnarick, and Grace Merrell.

Next up onstage, the high school age group will present its own take on the show in "The Taming of the Shoe." Adapted by director Caroline Good, this version includes modern music, comedy, and improv.

Good is assisted by DePauw student MacKenzie Travers. This is Good's third year to produce and direct the Youth Theatre Workshop, and she has been pleased with its popularity and the talent of the participants.

"It's a much a challenge for us as it is for them," she said. "The audiences fill the theatre and its great to see the performers respond the reaction of the crowd."

Starring roles in "The Taming of the Shoe" will be taken by Ashley Smith and Aaron Hunter as the battling couple; Emily Buchanan as the younger sister being pursued by Ty Fauvergue, Tyler Benware, and Kenny Buchanan (who was in "Kiss Me Kate"). Other leading characters are played by Joseph Pejril, Alex Asbell, Olivia Humphreys, Allison Howard, Haylie Romer, Joe Lippard and Kaeli Gray.

Taking other roles are Emily Gill, Sara Prewitt, Brianna Reed, Frank Pejril, Luke Hunter, McKenzie St. Marie, Sarah Tran, Katie Hedge, Jessica Maginity, Lauren Good, Nicole Hurst, Abby Mitchell, Tyler Henry, Calvin Timm, and Gareth Reed.

Technical and other assistance is being Tony Canady and Jon Good. Andrew Hayes is the fight choreographer.