In 2008 Empty Chair Theatre Company opened their third production, Richard III by William Shakespeare, in the Black Box Theatre of H-B Woodlawn. The production of Richard III explored the concept of a society built around insecurity and self-involvement. The set was embellished with seven mirrors, one representing each of the deadly sins. In this production the self proclaimed villain, Richard, was not the only character whose follies and lies articulated a darker truth. Directed by Artistic Director Elizabeth Nearing.

 Above: Matthew Minnicino as Richard III, Bottom Left: MaryLynne Smith as Elizabeth,
Bottom Right: Matthew Minnicino, Ashleigh Brown and Joan Cummins 

Taming of the Shrew

By William Shakespeare

“Come sit on me.”

In the Taming of the Shrew, one of Shakespeare’s more controversial comedies, a wild cast of characters experience the thin line that separates love and hate. This veritable battle of the sexes examines the place of marriage, family, rebellion, and duty in all societies. Empty Chair’s production of Taming of the Shrew (January 2008) took a distinct approach to the style in which the play was both rehearsed and performed. Eight actors used renaissance and early modern staging practices as a guide for the production. The cast played multiple roles, had audience on three sides of the stage, and performed the show with the lights on both the audience and the actors and had no directors or designers involved in the production.

Taming of the Shrew Actors Alex Richardson and Julia Sears.

CAST
Bianca Minola/Grumio: Joan Cummins
Tranio/Nicholas/Widow: Frances Koogler
Baptista Minola/Curtis/Old Man: Matthew Minnicino
Biondello/Joseph: Amalia Oswald
Petruccio: Alex Richardson
Katherine Minola: Julia Sears
Hortensio/Walter: Lucy Shapiro
Lucentio/Sugarsop: Ian Terry
Gremio/Nathaniel/Haberdasher/Tailor: Nico Zevallos

CREW

Producer: Elizabeth Nearing
Producer: Julia Sears
Program Design: Frances Koogler
Program Design: Nico Zevallos

Poster Design: Frances Koogler

 

Actors (from left) Alex Richardson, Joan Cummins, Julia Sears and Ian Terry in rehearsal for 'Shrew'.