Men and women square off in a volatile love match from Nov. 5-15 as NU Theatre presents The Taming of the Shrew by William Shakespeare.

Young Bianca can have her pick of suitors, but not until her older sister Kate has been married off. Unfortunately, the combative and outspoken Kate has earned a reputation as a real shrew, and no man wants anything to do with her. Enter the dashing and confident Petruchio. See what happens when intimate negotiations become spectator sport.

Surprisingly modern for a classic play, both the Bard and the director – artist-in-residence (stage combat/recruiter) Adriano Gatto – challenge the perspective of matrimony as a business transaction; instead, advocating for marriage as a meeting of true souls.

The Taming of the Shrew will be on stage in the Leary Theatre within the Elizabeth Ann Clune Center for Theatre, Clet Hall, at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 5, and Thursday, Nov. 12, and at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 6, Saturday, Nov. 7, Friday, Nov. 13, and Saturday, Nov. 14. Also, 2 p.m. matinees will be presented on Saturday, Nov. 7, Sunday, Nov. 8 (with post-show discussion), Saturday, Nov. 14, and Sunday, Nov. 15.

Costume, hair and makeup design is by Maureen T. Stevens, associate professor/costume, hair and makeup designer. Set design is by associate professor/scenic designer and production manager David Dwyer. Light design is by Michael Blagys, and sound coordination is by adjunct faculty member Glenn Bernardis. Stage manager is theatre design/production major Andrew Hayes of Tonawanda, N.Y. Assistant stage manager is theatre performance major Carly Weldy of West Seneca, N.Y.

Niagara University theatre performance majors who are in the cast include: Anna Krempholtz (Kate) of East Aurora, N.Y.; Kayla Storto (Bianca) of Orchard Park, N.Y.; Colin Reboy (Baptista) of Tonawanda, N.Y.; Brett Klaczyk (Petruchio) of Angola, N.Y.; David Wysocki (Gremio) of Hamburg, N.Y.; Johnny J. Barden IV (Lucentio) of Buffalo, N.Y.; Brendan Didio (Grumio) of Oneda, N.Y.; Dylan Zalikowski (Tranio) of Springville, N.Y.; Ciara Davie (Biondella) of Liverpool, N.Y.; Charles McGregor (Vincentio) of Buffalo, N.Y.; Luca Perry-Ferrari (Curtis) of Rochester, N.Y.; Vanessa Shevat (widow/servant) of Buffalo, N.Y.; Russel Wilson (Merchant/Servant) of Buffalo, N.Y.; Sara Emmerling (Haberdasher/Servant) of Orchard Park, N.Y.; Kaylee George (Tailor/Servant) of Pittsburgh, Pa.; and Jeremy Warsitz (Officer/Servant) of Rabun Gap, Ga.

For more information and tickets, please visit http://theatre.niagara.edu.