Emporia Community Theatre audiences will get a double delight during August’s summer theater production at the amphitheater in Peter Pan Park with two back-to-back performances.
The children’s group will perform “Puss and Boots” written by local playwright Scott Rochat and the adult group will perform “Taming of the Shrew,” by William Shakespeare.
With the sounds of cicadas filling the air, both groups diligently practiced Wednesday evening. A warm summer breeze lightly teased the leaves on nearby trees. Below the trees, cast members were working hard on their parts.
Audra Jenkins, assistant director of “Puss and Boots” stood nearby watching the children perform. The story is centered around Jack, an ordinary miller’s son who has been left one thing in his father’s will — a talking cat named Puss. The cat decides to help Jack move up in the world by portraying him to the world as the Marquis of Carabas, “the most handsome noble in all the land.” The story line soon has Jack crossing paths with the king and queen, as well as an ogre who has taken up residence in the castle that Puss has chosen for the “Marquis.”
The 13-member cast of “Puss and Boots” has a wide age range with kids from 4 years old to 18 years old.
Savanna Stevens, 12, plays Puss. Stevens has been in several plays prior to this one, she said. She enjoys this one for a variety of reasons.
“This one is really interesting,” she said. “I get to do lots of fun stuff with Puss because he’s mischievous.”
Stevens said Puss always runs around trying to fix things but sometimes gets into trouble.
“But he means well,” she said, with a smile.
The queen is played by Jorah Wilson, 7. Wilson has been in three plays before this one. Wilson said her character argues a lot.
“I like getting to be royalty,” Wilson said. “I like talking to the king.”
Isabel Karch, 5, is among the play’s younger characters. She plays a royal attendant, a spirit and a sheep.
“I like playing all the stuff,” she said, with a smile. “It’s fun.”
After the cast of “Puss and Boots” wrapped up, it was time for the players of “Taming of the Shrew” to take the stage. In the classic Shakespeare play, shortened to about an hour, a gentleman named Baptista has two daughters he wants to marry off. Everyone wants to marry the younger, Bianca, but her dad won’t let her marry until the older sister, Katharina, who is known for a nasty temper and sharp tongue does.
“She is extremely strong-willed,” Rochat, director said. “Nobody wants to touch her with a 10-foot pole.”
When things look hopeless, along comes Petruchio, a man who has Katharina matched. Petruchio comes to town and finds out that Katharina’s father has money — and that Kate herself is rather interesting — and he is determined to tame her.
“Taming of the Shrew” comes with a bit of controversy in today’s society, Rochat said.
“Some people see Petruchio as ‘breaking’ Katharina,” Rochat said. “I don’t see that.” The way he sees the story, he said, Katharina still has the same fire at the end of the show, but now has society’s acceptance as well.
“Taming of the Shrew” is a very physical show and there’s less subtlety than in many of Shakespeare’s shows, Rochat said. This comes out in the performance when Petruchio and Katharina physically struggle with one another when they first meet.
The play doesn’t come without its random characters. Anthony Mercer plays the Pedant, who is a random traveler that is caught up in situations.
“He’s really miscellaneous,” Mercer said, of his character. “He doesn’t have a lot of background.”
Trevor Whitsitt plays Petruchio.
“He stands out in the crowd,” Whitsitt said of Petruchio. “He’s energetic, fun-loving and very forward.”
Whitsitt talked about the controversy surrounding Petruchio.
“In today’s society it’s controversial because of how much in the end it stresses subservience to the husband,” Whitsitt said. “But for myself it’s a nicer quality when you look at how extreme the characters are. They both give something in the end.”
Jenkins plays Katharina.
“She’s known as a shrew that doesn’t follow the straight and narrow,” Jenkins said. “She’s has developed defense mechanisms that are a bit over the top such as yelling and hitting.”
Jenkins said she enjoys playing a strong female role.
“You don’t always get that in plays,” she said. “It’s really entertaining.”
Emporia Community Theatre’s Mid-Summer Fair:
What
“Puss and Boots” and “Taming of the Shrew”
When
6 p.m., Aug. 6-11
Where
Peter Pan Park amphitheater
Cost
None
Bring
Lawn chairs or blanket