A quiet take on the Taming of the Shrew

Many will agree that the most important playwright of all time is none other than William Shakespeare. However, who can relate to men in tights? Get set for a whole new version of the great’s Taming of the Shrew set in the ‘60s where all the men wear business suits.

All the characters, dialogue and storyline is the same as the original but with a decidedly different look. Quiet, a multi-disciplinary arts team’s website describes it this way:

“Baptista Minola, senior partner of Padua Advertising, has a problem. His youngest daughter Bianca has been drawing the attention of nearly every man on the Upper East Side. His solution?  No one will be allowed to ‘court’ Bianca until his oldest daughter – the head strong, fiery, and temperamental Katharina – is married.  After all, who would want a wife like Kate?”

Judging from his picture from his website, Matt Hornbeck, Executive Director of quiet, looks like he would be an intimidating force to reckon with. With the safety of my phone, I brave the call but needn’t have worried. This guy is great...and very busy. When he’s not directing, Matt teaches Sociology at three local colleges, and serves on staff at Quest Church as an Associate Worship Director.

I asked Matt about how quiet decided on doing a “Mad Man-esque” take on the shrew. He told me that history shows that the roles of men and women in Shakespeare’s time were quite similar to those in the ‘60s. The quiet version is a bit shorter, though  to make room for a panel discussion afterward with cast members and social organization members about gender issues brought up within the play.

Quiet is a family affair, as the Managing Director is Matt’s wife, Roxy (also a teacher) and his brother Josh, serves as Artistic Director. Quiet is the new kid in Seattle with big dreams. Quiet isn’t limited to just theatre. They are currently seeking out other opportunities in performance art including film, music, dance and literary presentation. To learn more about this exciting new arts community, be sure to read fellow Examiner Rosemary Jones’ article found here or visit the Quiet website.

Taming of the Shrew will be presented February 12, 14, 18, 19, 24, and 25 at the Rainier Valley Cultural Center, located at 3515 South Alaska Street in Seattle, 98118. Tickets are just $7 through Brown Paper Tickets or $10 at the door. Doors open at 7:30 pm, show at 8:00 pm.