Houston Ballet has a big job in staging its latest production, The Taming of the Shrew, based on Shakespeare’s comedy of the same name. Almost everyone is already familiar with the story (whether you’ve seen the musical Kiss Me Kate or the teen movie 10 Things I Hate About You). Petruchio sets out to tame the tempestuous, overbearing Katherina, who so far has refused to marry any of the men that have dared to court her. Not one to back down from a fight, Petruchio takes Katherina as his wife.

So how do you stage in dance a story that historically is so dependent on dialogue? Well, like the Houston Ballet, you can call in the big guns: The choreography is taken from the original 1969 staging by John Cranko, who was known for combining classically based dance with excellent acting. 7:30 p.m. on June 9. Show runs through June 19. Wortham Theater Center, 501 Texas.
For a full schedule, call 713-227 2787 or visit
www.houstonballet.org. $18 to $168.

Thu., June 9; Sat., June 11; Sun., June 12; Fri., June 17; Sat., June 18; Sun., June 19, 2011

This article appears in Jun 9-15, 2011.