We invite audiences into the golden age of 1940s radio on the Tabor Stage January 30 – February 15 with The Taming of the Shrew — a wild, witty, song-filled production that pairs William Shakespeare’s sparring lovers with the backstage drama of an improvised radio performance broadcast live from midtown Manhattan.
Directed by Dan McCleary (most recently The Comedy of Errors, Grace of Grace, Ada and the Engine, The Tempest, A Streetcar Named Desire), The Taming of the Shrew is generously sponsored by The Sims Family Charitable Trust, James R. Humphreys, and Pat & Ernest Kelly.
Set against a snowy Valentine’s Day night atop the city’s RCA Building in 1945, a live WINS Radio broadcast is poised to sign off to the young Americans fighting overseas. That is, until President Roosevelt makes an unexpected, heartfelt request: for the sake of morale, and for all the lovers separated by war, the station’s once-famous acting troupe is requested to perform the most famous, battling love story of all time: The Taming of the Shrew.
What follows is a last-minute scramble in the studio to disperse scripts, re-learn roles, and cast actors before a live audience. The troupe’s former leading lady who played Kate, now a rising film star, makes a surprising return from Hollywood at President Roosevelt’s request. In reprising the role that made her famous, she also opens an old love wound with the troupe’s hard-boiled leading man (the one she left behind). The love story off-stage makes its way on-stage, which makes for an unexpectedly genuine Valentine.
Tabor Stage audiences will get to experience two shows at once: the on-air Shakespeare comedy and songs that the nation hears, and the backstage film noir chaos they hopefully never will.
With a play they haven’t performed since Pearl Harbor, the actors brush up their Shakespeare with period musical favorites inspired by Bing Crosby, Rodgers and Hart, The Mills Brothers, The Andrews Sisters, Glenn Miller, Benny Goodman, The Ink Spots, Frank Sinatra, and even Groucho and Harpo Marx all sung live on stage with piano and trumpet.
Shrew is one of the earliest comedies written by Shakespeare, in the 1590s, and it has become one of his most controversial for the mating dance that appears to cast Petruchio as the leader and Kate as his follower. Director Dan McCleary has removed the written “induction” of the play and replaced it with his crafted period narrative that includes the 1945 radio storyline as both the introduction for the Shrew story and its surprising conclusion.
“In the First Folio version,” says McCleary, “the Christopher Sly induction is famous for its ability to lead us into the Shrew story, and for its ancient popularity on stage in prior centuries. But what’s missing is the induction’s conclusion once the Shrew story resolves. The induction’s drunken pauper (Sly) showing up on a wealthy person’s estate and then being led to believe a bizarre story playing out before him was a well-trod trope. As was the parade of wooers for the pretty, young sister (Bianca). As was the Punch-and-Judy-like relationship of Kate and Petruchio. But Shakespeare gives these stage tropes a post-modernist revision. He removes the physical violence popular with the Kate/Petruchio commedia relationship and replaces it with heart and psychology – they fall in love at first sight, and Petruchio finds himself at least as equally ‘tamed’ as Kate. Likely more. Kate becomes the financial winner, and she discovers someone who will welcome the challenge of hearts. It’s a progressive romantic comedy when we consider the play historically, and a musical 1940s America inspires me as an ideal and respectful post-modern setting for it.
“I imagine Kate and Petruchio go on to have one of the most promising marriages in Shakespeare’s plays. And despite their story not meant to be taken as real in the play – it’s the play within the play, after all – Kate’s needs around a loving relationship are spoken and met by Petruchio. Our Hollywood actor who plays Kate will point out in our production that the world’s war won’t get won without the women, and it won’t stop at the homefront either. If you want me, partner, you’ll need to follow me for a time. We’ll see what our Petruchio chooses.”
The cast welcomes TSC musical newcomers Laura Shatkus as Kate and Nick Ericksen as Lucentio, as well as Tom Johnson on piano. The cast also returns Lauren Hester Gunn (Grumio), Stuart Heyman (Baptista), Jeremy Bukauskas (Gremio), Marian Claire Barber (Bianca), Matthew Alter (Tranio), Marquis Dijon Archuleta (Hortensio), Natalie Tangeman (Biondello), Ethan Shaw (Vincentio/Curtis), and Taylor Slonaker (Widow/Pedant) to the Tabor Stage.
The design team includes Jeremy Allen Fisher (Lighting), Micki McCormick (Props), Allison White (Costumes) and Tom Johnson (Music). The production stage manager is Cu Cukale, and the assistant stage manager is Milla Meiman.
McCleary will present a free Director’s Talk in TSC’s rehearsal hall on Sunday, February 1 at 5:30 pm following the 3:00 pm matinee. The public is cordially invited to attend, whether seeing the performance that day or not.
The performance will run approximately 2.5 hours, including one 15-minute intermission, and is ideal for all ages over five years old.
Box Office
Discounted Preview performance tickets are only $22 on Friday, January 30 at 7:30 pm.
Non-Preview performance tickets are $44.00, with discounts for Students (+/-22 with I.D.) at $24.00, and for Seniors (62+) at $39.00.
Opening night is Saturday, January 31 at 7:30 pm, which includes a complimentary post-show reception with the actors. Subsequent performances are on Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 pm, and on Sundays at 3:00 pm through February 15.
All Friday performances on January 30, February 6 and 13 are Free Will Kids’ Nights when up to four children 17 years and younger may attend for FREE when accompanied by at least one, full-price-paying Adult Guardian, while seats last, and must be purchased either over the phone or in person.
Tickets may be purchased online here or by calling the Box Office at (901) 759-0604; open Tuesday-Friday from 9:00 am – 5:00 pm, and one hour prior to curtain.
TSC is located at 7950 Trinity Road, Memphis, TN 38018-6297. No refunds/exchanges. The house opens 30 minutes prior to curtain. Credit Card charges require a $2.00 per-ticket fee. Free Tabor Stage parking and covered drop-off at the front door are available. The cast and schedule are subject to change with notice.
Artistic and Production Bios
Marquis Dijon Archuleta (Hortensio) TSC: Ensemble in Classical Comedies & Cocktails Reading Series, Don Pedro/Watch in Much Ado About Nothing, Macbeth in Macbeth, Caesar in the Free Shout-Out Shakespeare Series production of Julius Caesar, Laertes in Hamlet, and Sir Andrew Aguecheek in Twelfth Night. He is also a Master Teacher in The Romeo & Juliet Project. Acting: Sweeney in Cutler Bros. Theater’s production of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.
Matthew Alter (Tranio) TSC: Ensemble in Christmas Gems and Classical Comedies & Cocktails Reading Series, Much Ado About Nothing (Don John/Verges). Othercredits include the international tour of Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves (Ali Baba), national tour of Treasure Island (Ben Gunn/Billy Bones/Tom Morgan), Our Town (George Gibbs), The Importance of Being Earnest (Jack Worthing), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Lysander), The Mousetrap (Trotter), Art (Marc), Boeing, Boeing (Robert), The Tempest (Ferdinand), and A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder (Monty Navarro). Matthew is a graduate of Rice University with degrees in Theatre and Mathematics.
Marian Claire Barber (Bianca) TSC: Ensemble in Christmas Gems and Classical Comedies & Cocktails Reading Series, Much Ado About Nothing (Hero/Conrade). Lipscomb University credits: Hamlet, Romeo and Juliet, Pride and Prejudice, Crazy for You, Big Fish, Mamma Mia! Playhouse on the Square: Waitress, Punk Rock Girl; and she was ateacher for their Youth and Adult Musical Theatre Class.
Jeremy Bukauskas (Gremio) TSC: Ensemble in Classical Comedies & Cocktails Reading Series, Much Ado About Nothing (Friar Francis), The Comedy of Errors (Duke Solinus), The Romeo and Juliet Project (Lord Capulet). Regional: Trumpet in the Land, The White Savage, The Music Man, All Shook Up!, Sword of Peace, Pathway to Freedom, The Wiz. Educational Theatre: Peter and the Starcatcher, Tartuffe, Peer Gynt, As You Like It, Lovers and Executioners, God of Hell. Jeremy earned his M.F.A. in Theatre from the University of Southern Mississippi.
Cu Cukale (Production Stage Manager) TSC: Much Ado About Nothing, Christmas Gems, Macbeth Initiative. Regional: King Lear (Island Shakespeare Festival), A Lucky Chance (Island Shakespeare Festival), and Seussical the Musical (Youth Theatre Northwest). Director: Mean Girls the Musical (Broadway Bound Children’s Theatre). Acting: Much Ado About Nothing (Borachio), Sweeney Todd (ensemble), and A Chorus Line (Judy Turner).
Nick Ericksen (Lucentio) American Shakespeare Center: Romeo and Juliet, The Two Gentlemen of Verona, and The Pirate Ballad of Bonny and Read. Illinois Shakespeare Festival: The Tempest, The Comedy of Errors, and Toss Me a Tempest. Walking Shadow Theatre Company: Witch. Wisconsin Shakespeare Festival: Romeo and Juliet and Twelfth Night. Vagabond Shakespeare: A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Romeo and Juliet.
Jeremy Allen Fisher (Production Manager; Scenic and Lighting Designer) has been with Tennessee Shakespeare Company since 2013, designing 30+ productions. An 18-year veteran in the entertainment business with multiple degrees and certifications, Jeremy is a member of Local USA 829 United Scenic Artists with experience in all aspects of lighting. Founding his design firm in 2019, he has worked on projects of all sizes across the country. He is the Resident Lighting Designer for Opera Memphis and Youngblood Studio. He recently redesigned Ballet Memphis’ annual production of Nutcracker and completed several major public art installations at St. Jude Children’s Hospital, Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital, and Oregon State University. Since moving to Memphis in 2011, Jeremy has completed 200+ lighting designs in the city, been nominated for 12 Ostrander Awards with four wins, and in 2017 was awarded the TAC Individual Artist Award for his work in Lighting Design.
Lauren Hester Gunn (Grumio) TSC: Sherlock Holmes in Christmas Gems, Ensemble in Classical Comedies & Cocktails Reading Series, Much Ado About Nothing, Saint Joan, The Grace of Grace: Shining a Light through Shakespeare’s Broken Villains, Twelfth Night, The Comedy of Errors, A Streetcar Named Desire, The Tempest, Cyrano de Bergerac, Macbeth, Henry VI, Romeo and Juliet, Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley, and Ada and the Engine. Southern Arena Theatre: Boeing Boeing, I Hate Hamlet. New Stage Theatre: Constellations, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Crimes of the Heart, A Christmas Carol, Cat in the Hat. Fish Tale Group Theatre: Voice of Freedom Summer. Lauren is delighted and honored to continue serving military Veterans at the Memphis V.A. Medical Center with TSC’s Feast of Crispian-South program. She is a member and associate instructor with Dueling Arts International. Education: University of Southern Mississippi (M.F.A.).
Stuart Heyman (Baptista) TSC: Ensemble in Classical Comedies & Cocktails Reading Series, Much Ado About Nothing (Leonato), The Comedy of Errors (Balthasar/Officer), The Tempest (Gonzalo), Cyrano de Bergerac (Ragueneau), As You Like It (Adam), The Comedy of Errors (Duke Solinus), All’s Well That Ends Well (Lefew), The Taming of the Shrew (Baptista), Othello (Brabantio), As You Like It (Corin). Theatre Memphis: Dracula (Van Helsing). Circuit Playhouse: Peter and the Starcatcher (Alf) and Tom Sawyer (Doc Robinson). Desoto Family Theatre: My Fair Lady (Henry Higgins) and Oliver! (Fagin). Germantown Community Theatre: Man of La Mancha (Cervantes/Quixote). New Moon Theatre: The Homecoming (Teddy). Stuart is a founding member of TSC.
Tom Johnson (Music Director; Piano Accompanist) has been involved with theatre since he was in graduate school. He received his Master’s degree in piano at USM; while there, he assisted the music director in the orchestra pit. After graduating, Tom worked with Kudzu Playhouse for a few years, and long-time theatre-goers may remember him as L.M. in Pump Boys & Dinettes at Circuit Playhouse. Recent productions as Music Director are Caroline, or Change, Bronx Tale, Come from Away, and The Wizard of Oz.
Dan McCleary (Director/Writer), a native of Memphis and the founder of TSC, most recently curated and directed the theatre’s Classical Comedies & Cocktails Series featuring Chekhov/Moliére/Coward, and earlier this year created and directed Grace of Grace: Shining a Light Through Shakespeare’s Broken Villains on the Tabor Stage. He has played in and directed over 150 shows on stage at TSC and around the country over 42 years. Dan is a published poet, and the creator/director/actor of the plays Speak What We Feel: Shakespeare’s Radical Response to a Radical Time; Unto the Breach; Quintessence: Shakespeare in Performance; and Classical Creations in Quarantine. Memphis Magazine has named him among the “Who’s Who in Memphis” for seven years, including 2025. Dan presented his TEDx Talk “Shakespeare in Kindergarten, or Let Fall Rome” in Memphis in 2020, and the Germantown Arts Alliance honored him with its 2009 Distinguished Arts and Humanities Medal for Performing Arts.
Micki McCormick (Asst. Technical Director; Props Designer) TSC: technical director for Shout-Out productions of The Comedy of Errors and The Tempest, and sound engineer for The Grace of Grace: Shining a Light Through Shakespeare’s Broken Villains and A Streetcar Named Desire. Design Credits: Assistant for Opera Memphis’s La Bohème and La Calisto. Electrician for Opera Memphis’ The Rising and the Falling and the University of Memphis’ Rocky Horror Picture Show. Ostrander winner (2022) for the University of Memphis’ production of A Bright Room Called Day for Excellence in Sound Design.
Milla Meiman (Assistant Stage Manager) is a recent graduate of Bard College. Her acting credits include The Tempest, Advanced Placement, Heathers, Pippin, Macbeth, Clyde Must Die, The Crucible, and Titus Andronicus. LoneTree Live: 24-Hour Plays Memphis.
Laura Shatkus (Kate) Regional and Chicago credits: The Elephant Man (Berkshire Theatre Group); Every Brilliant Thing, Ripcord, Miracle on South Division Street, A Christmas Carol, and 1984 (The Hippodrome State Theatre); The Tempest and Romeo and Juliet (North Dakota Shakespeare Festival); As You Like It (The Classical Edge); Macbeth (Muse of Fire); Intimate Apparel, Amadeus, All The Way, and The Fall of the House (TheatreSquared); Damascus (Florida Repertory Theatre); and The Last Days of Judas Iscariot and Talk Radio (The Gift Theatre), among others. Film: Red Camellia (currently in post-production), The Threesome (with Zoey Deutch), and The Magician’s Raincoat (in which she plays a wicked witch).Laura is thrilled to be making her TSC debut and is grateful to be working with this passionate ensemble of Shakespeare-lovers.
Ethan Shaw (Vincentio/Curtis) TSC: Ensemble in Christmas Gems and Classical Comedies & Cocktails Reading Series, Much Ado About Nothing (Claudio). Other credits include Cymbeline and Twelfth Night (Theatre at Monmouth, ME); King Lear, Company Cabaret, and A Christmas Carol (Oklahoma Shakespearean Festival); Romeo and Juliet, Much Ado About Nothing, and Edward III (Kingsmen Shakespeare Company, CA); and A Christmas Carol (Lyric Repertory Company, UT). Ethan has a B.F.A. with honors from Utah State University’s acting program with minors in music and chemistry.
Taylor Slonaker (Widow/Pedant) TSC: Ensemble in Christmas Gems and Classical Comedies & Cocktails Reading Series, Much Ado About Nothing (Dogberry/Balthasar). Taylor is an actor, director, and educator. She trained at Shakespeare & Company (Lenox, MA) and the Circle in the Square Theatre (New York, NY). Favorite roles include Midsummer Night’s Dream with The Rooted Voyageurs (Lysander/Mustardseed/Flute), Julius Caesar at Elsewhere Shakespeare (Brutus), and Circle Mirror Transformation at Ghent Playhouse (Lauren). TSC: Much Ado About Nothing. Other credits: A Christmas Carol, Romeo and Juliet, The Tempest.
Natalie Tangeman (Biondello) TSC: Dr. John Watson in Christmas Gems, Ensemble in Classical Comedies & Cocktails Reading Series, Much Ado About Nothing (Hero). Favorite roles include Northwester: As It Is in Heaven (Hannah), Dracula: A Feminist Revenge Fantasy, Really (Renfield), Dave Malloy’s Beowulf (Grendel’s Mother/Academic 2), John Proctor is the Villain (Beth); and Actors’ Theatre of Columbus: Romeo and Juliet (Juliet). Natalie is a performer, educator, and director having worked with Griffin’s Tale Children’s Repertory Theatre and Seesaw Theatre. Natalie is a graduate of Northwestern University with majors in Theatre and Psychology and an emphasis in Theatre for Young Audiences.
Allison White (Costume Designer) has been the resident costume designer and costume shop manager at TSC for the last four seasons. TSC design credits include Much Ado About Nothing, Christmas Gems, Saint Joan, The Importance of Being Earnest, Cyrano de Bergerac, Ada and the Engine, Macbeth, Henry VI: The War of the Rose. Her other design credits include I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change (Germantown Community Theatre); The Mousetrap, Blithe Spirit, You Can’t Take It With You (Theatre Memphis); Pippin, Between Riverside and Crazy, The Day is Long to End (University of Florida); Caroline, or Change (Cape Fear Regional Theatre); The Secret World of Og (Sarasota Youth Opera); Smokey Joe’s Café, All My Sons, The Mystery of Edwin Drood (Theatre Raleigh). Allison has an M.F.A. in Costume Design from The University of Florida.
Season 18 Sponsors
TSC’s generous sponsors of the 18th season, productions, and Education and Outreach Program include FedEx, ARTSmemphis, Tennessee Arts Commission, James R. Humphreys, Nancy R. Copp, Evans Petree PC, Pat and Ernest Kelly, J. Walker Sims and the Sims Family Charitable Trust, Kathryn and Jim Gilliland, Anne and Mike Keeney, Independent Bank, Pete Pranica, First Horizon Foundation through an ArtsFirst grant, AutoZone, the Dunbar Abston Fund for Sustainable Excellence, the Barbara B. Apperson Angel Fund, and the Jack Jones Children’s Literacy Fund. TSC’s season is funded under a Grant Contract with the State of Tennessee.
