Paul Smith’s College VIC to host Shakespeare in the Adirondack Park

The Paul Smith’s College VIC will host a free performance of “The Taming of the Shrew” at 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 4.

In this 40-minute version of the Shakespeare comedy, brought to you by The Adirondack Lakes Center for the Arts, the character Petruchio decides that Kate, the beautiful girl with the awful temper, will make a wonderful wife once she’s tamed. Kate wants nothing to do with any suitor. This madcap story of imperfect love is told in the Elvis-meets-I-Love-Lucy setting of the 1950s. Bring your lawn chair (indoor facilities available in case of weather).

New Arts Center artistic director George Cordes will direct and star in the production. North Country audiences know him from his appearances with Pendragon Theatre in Saranac Lake in the title roles of “Man of La Mancha,” “Sweeney Todd” and several other performances.

The Arts Center is bringing in a talented group of actor-singers for the production, as well.

Cassidy Dermott is a New York City-based actress and teaching artist with Shakespearean training. She is a company member of 8Players and has recently performed in Shakespeare’s “Richard III” and “Henry VI.”

Lucky Cerruti, a native of Lake Placid, has appeared in “The Snow Queen,” “The Seagull,” “Man of La Mancha” and the title role in “Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp.”

Brandon Bedore is a senior musical-theatre major at Catholic University in Washington, DC, and recently spent a semester abroad studying at the London Dramatic Academy. He performed in several main-stage shows at Catholic University, including “Carousel,” “Sweet Charity” and as Clem in “The Most Happy Fella.”

Danielle LaMere also is a Pendragon veteran, who appeared in “Death of a Salesman” and was assistant director of Camp Pendragon productions for two summers. She has appeared with Lake Placid’s Community Theatre Players in “The Wizard of Oz” and “The Little Mermaid.”

This performance is supported by a generous grant from the New York State Council on the Arts. The Adirondack Lakes Center for the Arts is located at 3446 State Route 28 in Blue Mountain Lake. For more information on this and other performances, events and classes, visit adirondackarts.org, or call 518-352-7715.

About Paul Smith’s College
At Paul Smith’s College, it’s about the experience. We are the only four-year institution of higher education in the Adirondacks. Our programs – in fields including hospitality, culinary arts, forestry, natural resources, entrepreneurship and the sciences – draw on industries and resources available in our own backyard while preparing students for successful careers anywhere. For more information, visit paulsmiths.edu.