School-Day Show: Aquila Theatre Company in William Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew

Set in the idyllic town of Padus, The Taming of the Shrew tells the story of the timeless battle of the sexes. Bianca Minola, the beautiful daughter of a lord, is eligible for marriage, but cannot be courted until her elder sister, Katherina, finds a husband. Katherina's quick temper and acerbic wit, however, frighten off every potential suitor. Feeling that they are running out of options, two suitors hire a newcomer named Petruchio to seduce and "tame" Katherina. After their exchanges of wisecracks and double entendres, Petruchio succeeds in dragging Katherina to the altar then away to his country home. Once there, the taming process begins, with both sides unwilling to yield.

From its earliest productions at the Globe to Michael Bogdanov's 1978 production at the RSC to Gil Junger's modern retelling, 10 Things I Hate About You, The Taming of the Shrew has adapted with each generation. The story, with its domestic power plays and controversial depiction of marriage, has been the subject of multiple operas and the backdrop of Cole Porter's Tony Award-winning musical Kiss Me Kate.

Learn More: Aquila Theatre Company / Additional School-Day Events

Aquila Theatre Company will also present a full-length performance of The Taming of the Shrew at 8:00 p.m.

Cosponos & Marketing Partners: Ralph & Shirley Shapiro / Blaine & Lynda Fetter / Connie Wei-Luen Kao Memorial Fund / The Friends of Beckman Auditorium

Presented by: Caltech Committee on Institute Programs