Shakespeare in the Park Returns
with “The Taming of the Shrew”
July 9 – 25, 2026

The Taming of the Shrew is the 29th Shakespeare in the Park production presented by Rochester Community Players and the Monroe County Parks Department at Highland Park Bowl. It will also be a very different approach to one of William Shakespeare’s best-known works!

This summer’s production is the fourth time RCP has staged “The Taming of the Shrew.” It was first produced by RCP in 1964 and at the Highland Park Bowl for the first time in 2006. 

Director Jonathan Lowery has set the play in 2015 where the roles and rules for women and men have significantly changed from Shakespeare’s time 400 years ago. The story of unwed Katherine pressured by her father to marry and of Petruchio as a suitor hoping to gain wealth and status as her husband unfolds in quite a different light.  

“At its heart, The Taming of the Shrew [Link to show tab] is a play about seeking healthy and authentic relationships,” says Lowery. “Moving the story to a more recent time gives modern audiences an opportunity to engage with the play’s original intent in a new way. The same words heard centuries ago take on a different tone and meaning.”

For Shakespeare’s characters living in the 21st century, restrictions—especially for young women—are replaced with different expectations for them. Daily use of cell phones, texting over talking, the impact of social media, and the sometimes powerful role of social media influencers all have an impact. Public versus private personas can also be very different for both men and women.

Another twist for audiences will be an opportunity to view a live social media feed on their cell phones with characters in the play sharing their “off stage” thoughts and feelings. These messages will be a somewhat modern version of theatrical “asides” when actors turn to make short remarks directly to the audience.

FREE performances of “The Taming of the Shrew” are every evening except Mondays and Tuesdays at 8:00 p.m. beginning Thursday, July 9 through Saturday, July 25, 2026.

IMPORTANT: The necessary cancellation of any performance due to weather conditions will be posted here, on Facebook and @roccommplayers.

Cast

Liza DeLoozeGrumio
Siobhan FisherBaptista
Ben GilloolyLucentio
*Tim HartGremio
*Geoffrey HuntTranio
Kayla PercontiKate
*Michael RichesPetruchio
*Jaimee SchelkunBianca
Megan SteronBiondello
Adam UrbanicHortensio
*Shirite WestreichZanni/Widow
Tyler WolffZanni/Vincentio

Notes: 

*First production with RCP 

Production Team

Michael KrickmireProducer
Jonathan LowreyDirector/Fight Choreographer 
Brodie McPhersonTechnical Director
Katie GarverProduction Stage Manager
Jillian SugarAssistant Stage Manager
Zahava AlstonCostume Designer
Jared Lee MorganScenic Designer
Dan LibertoreLighting Designer
Ken DauerSound Designer
Lindsay Warren BakerIntimacy Coordinator
Echoes in MotionASL Deaf Interpretation