MOSES LAKE — A local rendition of Shakespeare's "Taming of the Shrew" starts tonight at the Chapel on Third in Moses Lake.

Running times are Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and March 15, 16 and 17 at 7 p.m. Admission is $8 at the door, or $7 with pre-sold tickets purchased at The Bridal Boutique, Griffin's Bakery or Smoking Dragon Pets. The play is presented by Veritas Swordplay Academy.

"The children are going to enjoy the bright color and the acrobatics, and the older audiences will recognize the melodramatic romantic aspects in this play," said director Tyrell Pickett.

"Taming of the Shrew" follows the story of Katharina, a seemingly untamable girl, and Petruchio, who wants to marry Katharina for money. The play is set up with the audience on three sides and the actors in the center. Bright colors, masks, acrobatic stunts and slapstick humor are included in the play, part of the Venetian festival comedia del conte style, Pickett said.

Kendra Meyers plays Katharina and Pickett plays Petruchio.

"(Katharina's) not a nice person, like she's the exact opposite of me in real life," Meyers said. "She's loud and mean. She hits people."

At first, Meyers found getting into such an aggressive character difficult, until about halfway through rehearsals when she discovered her "inner anger."

The play is Meyers' first. She said she is deciding between acting as a career and working with wild animals after she graduates from Big Bend Community College.

A challenge of playing Petruchio is keeping the energy high, Pickett said.

"He's a very vibrant, set-minded character," he said.

"Taming of the Shrew" marks Pickett's second time directing a play. Last year, he debuted with Hamlet, the first play at the Chapel on Third since 2004.

"It's what I'm planning to do with the rest of my life," Pickett said. The Big Bend Community College student began his acting career at 11 years old.

Eric Suitter, who plays Katharina's father, said his character is just trying to get by.

"He's a wealthy merchant, upper class, but he's got a hell of a problem," Suitter said. "His older daughter is just unmarriagable."

Chapel on Third is located at 601 W. 3rd Ave. Hors d'oeuvres are served before the play and during the intermission. For more information, contact Tyrell Pickett at 509-431-1238. 'Taming of the Shrew'

debuts tonight

By Chrystal Doucette

Herald staff writer

MOSES LAKE — A local rendition of Shakespeare's "Taming of the Shrew" starts tonight at the Chapel on Third in Moses Lake.

Running times are Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and March 15, 16 and 17 at 7 p.m. Admission is $8 at the door, or $7 with pre-sold tickets purchased at The Bridal Boutique, Griffin's Bakery or Smoking Dragon Pets. The play is presented by Veritas Swordplay Academy.

"The children are going to enjoy the bright color and the acrobatics, and the older audiences will recognize the melodramatic romantic aspects in this play," said director Tyrell Pickett.

"Taming of the Shrew" follows the story of Katharina, a seemingly untamable girl, and Petruchio, who wants to marry Katharina for money. The play is set up with the audience on three sides and the actors in the center. Bright colors, masks, acrobatic stunts and slapstick humor are included in the play, part of the Venetian festival comedia del conte style, Pickett said.

Kendra Meyers plays Katharina and Pickett plays Petruchio.

"(Katharina's) not a nice person, like she's the exact opposite of me in real life," Meyers said. "She's loud and mean. She hits people."

At first, Meyers found getting into such an aggressive character difficult, until about halfway through rehearsals when she discovered her "inner anger."

The play is Meyers' first. She said she is deciding between acting as a career and working with wild animals after she graduates from Big Bend Community College.

A challenge of playing Petruchio is keeping the energy high, Pickett said.

"He's a very vibrant, set-minded character," he said.

"Taming of the Shrew" marks Pickett's second time directing a play. Last year, he debuted with Hamlet, the first play at the Chapel on Third since 2004.

"It's what I'm planning to do with the rest of my life," Pickett said. The Big Bend Community College student began his acting career at 11 years old.

Eric Suitter, who plays Katharina's father, said his character is just trying to get by.

"He's a wealthy merchant, upper class, but he's got a hell of a problem," Suitter said. "His older daughter is just unmarriagable."

Chapel on Third is located at 601 W. 3rd Ave. Hors d'oeuvres are served before the play and during the intermission. For more information, contact Tyrell Pickett at 509-431-1238.