Kate, Untamed by Sean Abley

A full length play in spite of William Shakespeare's "The Taming of the Shrew."

White male feminism has its limits...
What begins as a two-person, modern day adaptation of William Shakespeare’s "The Taming of the Shrew" ends as a rescue mission for the character of “Kate.” Along the way, Scott, the playwright’s proxy, struggles with his mission statement of “making...
A full length play in spite of William Shakespeare's "The Taming of the Shrew."

White male feminism has its limits...
What begins as a two-person, modern day adaptation of William Shakespeare’s "The Taming of the Shrew" ends as a rescue mission for the character of “Kate.” Along the way, Scott, the playwright’s proxy, struggles with his mission statement of “making a play about the abuse of a woman funny in the era of #metoo,” while Molly, Kate’s vessel, struggles against the narrative until she’s forced to tear it apart.
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Kate, Untamed

Recommended by

  • Aly Kantor:
    22 Feb. 2022
    “ We've reached the point where it's unclear if an ethical production of The Taming of the Shrew is still possible for myriad reasons - but the bard left us plenty of material to tear apart, remix, and recycle. This play is a laugh-out-loud, irreverent attempt to "free" the titular shrew from her story - involving audience participation, puppet theatre, improvisation, scenes from completely different plays, and Brechtian flare. It is mind-bendingly metatheatrical at times - but never, ever slows down. I'm exhausted! I'm invigorated! Most importantly, I'm THINKING, which is what good theatre should encourage and inspire. Excellent! ”
  • Cheryl Bear:
    23 Jan. 2021
    “ A brilliant adaptation for a liberated audience as "The Taming of the Shrew" is given a feminist punch! Bravo! ”
  • Daniel Olivas:
    15 Jun. 2020
    “ I had the opportunity to watch a virtual table reading of "Kate, Untamed" as part of the Playwrights' Arena's Summer Reading Series 2020 (I am one of the ten playwrights whose work was chosen for this series). Sean Abley's play is a genre-bending, rapid-fire, hilarious dissection of the Bard's problematic (i.e., sexist) "The Taming of the Shrew." Abley's mastery of language--both contemporary and Shakespearean--is sharp and revealing. The actors were brilliant as they played several different characters, changing voices and demeanor at breakneck speed. I can't wait to see a full production of the terrific play. ”

Development History

  • Reading
    ,
    Goodman Theatre
    ,
    2019