Utahns are probably most likely to associate summer productions of William Shakespeare plays with the Utah Shakespearean Festival, and suspect that they can only get their fix of the Bard after a drive to Cedar City. But as worthwhile as such a trip might be, it’s not the only opportunity to catch up with Shakespeare’s classic works.
For 15 years, Salt Lake Shakespeare has mounted Shakespeare productions during the typically theater-fallow summer months. This year, The Taming of the Shrew takes over the Babcock Theatre stage. The basic premise—a man who will marry off his younger daughter only after he can find a mate for his older, more tart-tongued daughter—has been adapted into everything from the musical Kiss Me, Kate to the teen hit 10 Things I Hate About You. But, it’s still invigorating watching the battle of the sexes as Petruchio attempts to turn Katherina into a more docile spouse. Add another taste of Shakespeare to your life.
Salt Lake Shakespeare: The Taming of the Shrew @ Babcock Theatre, 300 S. 1400 East, July 22-31, $10-$15. KingTix.org