A Buffalo summer tradition since 1976, the second of the two annual performances The Taming of the Shrew ends on Sunday, August 21. Grab a blanket or a lwn chair, pack a picnic and a bottle of wine, and take in a free performances under the stars.

The Taming of the Shrew (July 28 – August 21)  Directed by Steve Vaughan. Plot summary:

Lucentio, son of Vincentio, of Pisa, arrives in Padua to attend the university.  His priorities soon change when he sees Bianca, the younger daughter of wealthy Baptista Minola. Bianca already has two suitors, the old fool Gremio and the young Hortensio, but her father has decreed that she shall not wed until her older sister, Katharina, the legendary shrew of Padua has found a husband.

At just this moment,  Hortensio’s friend, Petruchio of Verona also arrives in Padua.  Upon hearing of Hortensio’s plight, and the richness of Katharina’s dowry, he declares that he shall make her his wife.

Undaunted in his quest for fair Bianca, Lucentio and his servant Tranio hatch a plan to get closer to her.  They learn that Baptista is looking for teachers to educate his daughters, so Lucentio will present himself as Cambio, the Latin teacher. Meanwhile, Tranio will play the role of his own master, Lucentio, and begin to confer with with Baptista about his own suit to marry the lovely Bianca. Hortensio gets the same idea, and appears at the Minola home disguised as Litio, an instructor of music.  Both imposters are hired and begin to compete for fair Bianca’s affections.

Petruchio, having been warned of Katharina’s horrid disposition, finally meets her and the two engage in a furious battle of wits. Sparks fly and the chemistry between this unlikely pair is obvious.  But Petruchio sees that he will need a plan to tame this shrew. The scene closes with Petruchio’s pronouncement, despite Kate’s protestations, that the two shall be wed on Sunday.

Upon hearing this news, Baptista can now turn to Bianca’s suitors to determine which can bestow greater wealth upon his young daughter.  Tranio, disguised as Lucentio, promises wealth far greater than that which old Gremio possesses.  Baptista is impressed, but skeptical.  So, Tranio decides he must produce a false father, to assure the promise. Meanwhile, the real Lucentio, in the guise of Cambio, the Latin teacher, declares his love for Bianca. For her part, Bianca is far more interested in Cambio than in Litio, the musician.

On the morning of the wedding, Kate is forced to consider the possibility that she will be left waiting at the alter and endure life as an old maid.  At long last, Petruchio arrives in bizarre and inappropriate attire to wed his betrothed.  After the hasty wedding, he announces that they will leave for Verona before the wedding feast.  Kate refuses to leave whereupon Petruchio tells all present that, as his wife, she is his property and he will do with her as she pleases.  It is his plan to ‘tame’ her with behavior worse than her own.  In the name of love and kindness, declaring nothing good enough for his bride, he allows her no food or sleep.

Back in Padua, Hortensio ends his suit for Bianca and declares that he will marry a wealthy widow instead.  Lucentio must now aid Tranio in finding the false father.  They find an old sea dog to play the part, bringing him to Baptista to assure the promises of wealth for Bianca.  Baptista is convinced, and allows the marriage plans for his younger daughter to go forward.   At this point, the real Lucentio and Bianca decide to elope.

In the meantime, Kate is not faring well at all in her new home.  Her behavior, compared to that of her husband is becoming more cordial and gracious.  Petruchio decides that they will travel back to Padua, and en route continues his scheme to tame the shrew, contradicting all she says until she is content to agree with him completely and unconditionally, which she does. It is at this moment, Kate begins to understand and accept Petruchio’s plan, which will lead them to a potentially happy marriage.