“Place your hands below your husband’s foot.” Surely a controversial statement in Shakespeare’s time, in today’s world it is hopelessly misogynistic. Unless… What if Katharina is a submissive in search of her Dominant? What if Bianca is a Dom auditioning subs? With the success of Fifty Shades of Grey, BDSM is front and center in the public consciousness, but is still largely misunderstood. Broads’ Word Enemble sets Shakespeare’s outdated Taming of the Shrew in a BDSM dungeon, where the all-female cast investigates the dynamics of power and submission with a modern fearlessness.
Broads’ Word Ensemble presents Fifty Shades of Shrew
Fifty Shades of Shrew is presented as part of the 2015 Hollywood Fringe Festival at the Lounge Theatre 1 – 6201 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90038. Previews: Friday, June 5th at 8pm, Saturday, June 6th at 10pm, and Sunday, June 7th at 4pm. Performances: Saturday, June 13th at 10pm, Sunday, June 14th at 4pm, Friday, June 19th at 8pm, Saturday, June 20th at 10pm, Sunday, June 21st at 4pm, and Saturday, June 27th at 10pm.
The Encore! Producers’ Award performances: Saturday, August 1st at 4pm and Sunday, August 2nd at 1pm.
Producers “The Broads”
Jen Albert (Katharina)
Dawn Sam Alden (Petruchio)
Lacy Altwine (Baptista)
Dana DeRuyck (Lucentio)
Tara Donovan (Bianca)
Sylvia Loehndorf (Grumio)
Danielle Ozymandias, Director
The Cast
Marian Gonzalez (Pedant/Widow)
Marti Hale (Gremio)
Maikiko James (Biondello/Servant)
Esther Mira (Hortensio)
Lisagaye Tomlinson (Curtis/Tailor/Vincentio)
Shana Gregory Williams (Tranio)
Reviews
“The all-female cast, most members of the production company Broads’ Word Ensemble, uses the Bard’s exact text and makes it come alive in the most creative BDSM connotations possible by just using a different emphasis on words and actions that promote such fun activities as spanking, Master/Submissive games, handcuffs, and other elements which are discussed for the uninitiated by latex-clad Mistress Kara before the play begins.” read more… – Broadway Word’s Review by Shari Barrett
“Directed by Danielle Ozymandias, the overriding tone of the piece is tongue-in-cheek; it succeeds by virtue of the performers’ ability to zero in on some key aspect of their characters -– be it fractiousness or envy or curiosity -– and reflect it aptly and humorously.” read more… – Stage Raw’s Review by Deborah Klugman
“Inspired! “Fifty Shades of Shrew” succeeds by taking gender out of the equation and replacing it with a BDSM ‘Dom’ and ‘Sub’ dynamic. The result being that we witness an equal negotiation between partners, rather than a battle of the sexes.” read more… – Hollywood Fringe Review by Cameron Cross
“Full of energy and charming performances all around, Fifty Shades of Shrew takes a well-worn classic for a corseted spin and creates some interesting new dynamics for familiar characters. It may raise a few eyebrows, but it promises to secure your consent first.” read more… Hollywood Fringe Review by Hal L