UKIAH, Calif. – The Mendocino College Theatre Arts Department will present the world premiere of “Shrewed!” Oct. 18-27 in the college’s Center Theatre.

The play, a rollicking spin off of Shakespeare’s classic “The Taming of the Shrew,” is a fast-paced comic romp set in San Francisco in 1927, and will feature music and dances of the period, as well as a modern twist on Shakespeare’s original plot.

The story involves two sisters, the attractive and pliable Bianca and the mean spirited and fierce Kate, the “shrew.”

When their mother announces that nobody may marry Bianca until a match is found for Kate, a hilarious effort ensues to “tame Kate.”

Celebrated local playwright Jody Gehrman has created an original script for this premiere production.

A professor of English at Mendocino College, Gehrman has published six popular novels, two of which have been optioned for film, most recently by Disney.

Her plays have been performed locally at Santa Rosa’s 6th Street Theatre, Mendocino College, and nationally in New York, Chicago, L.A. and San Francisco.

“Shrewed!” is told in Gehrman’s contemporary witty dialogue, while the plot mirrors Shakespeare’s original.

The play is being directed by Mendocino College theatre professor Reid Edelman, and showcases a cast of 18 wonderful student performers as well as impressive scenery and costumes.

The cast includes Maheanani Phillips in the central role of Kate. While Phillips, a resident of Lake County, has performed in many local productions, this is her debut on the Center Theatre stage.

The role of Kate’s sister Bianca is played by theater major Melany Katz. Katz, an accomplished dancer as well as actor, most recently appeared in the college production of The Music Man.

Veteran local actor Jason Davis plays the role of Pete Yaccarino, a down-on-his-luck gambler who sets out to marry Kate.

The play features Amanda Baguley as the adventurous poet Lucy Woods and Maria A. Monti as the family matriarch Arista Minola.

Monique Marmon, a former recipient of the college’s prestigious John Bogner theater and music award, plays the role of the socialite Millie Masters, while Liz Johnson plays the role of Chloe Simms.

Mathematics professor Jason Edington appears in the role of famous playwright Lester Lovejoy.

The cast also includes many talented newcomers to the Mendocino College stage, including Gabriel Suddeth and Charlie Sawyer as comic suitors to Bianca, and DonMike Chilberg and Dustin Wooley as bumbling sidekicks to Pete Yaccarino.

Other members of the outstanding ensemble cast include Janet Denninger, Liana Edington, Bianca Gayton, Megan Jones, Kaitlyn Vandewarker, and Erinn Yepiz.

The action unfolds in and around the elegant Minola family residence, as created by college set & lighting designer Larry L. Lang.

The elaborate period costumes have been created by resident costume designer and instructor Kathy Dingman Katz, with the help of her crew of enthusiastic and dedicated costuming students. The play is being stage managed by Gary Hudson.

“Shrewed!” opens on Thursday, Oct. 18. Performances will run for two weekends only, through Sunday, Oct. 27.

Performances are Friday, Oct. 18, and Saturday, Oct. 19, at 8 p.m.; Thursday, Oct. 24, at 7:30 p.m.; Friday, Oct. 25, and Saturday, Oct. 26, at 8 p.m.; and 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 27.

Tickets ($20 general; $15 students and seniors) are available at the Mendocino Book Co., at the Mendocino College Bookstore, and online at www.ArtsMendocino.org .

The performance on Oct. 24 is a special discount night, with all tickets costing only $10.

Audiences are encouraged to purchase their tickets in advance, though tickets may also be purchased at the door.

There also will be a special event associated with this production, Theatre and Jazz in the Center, on Sunday, Oct. 20, at 1 p.m.

This event will include a performance of Shrewed! as well as a very special Latin Jazz performance by acclaimed local pianist Elena Casanova and featuring special surprise musical guest artists.

This event will also include delectable appetizers prepared by the college culinary arts department and pouring of fine wines and beers.

Tickets for Theatre and Jazz in the Center are $60 each. For more information call 707-467-1018.

“Shrewed!” is recommended for ages 13 and older.

The Center Theatre is located on the Mendocino College main campus, 1000 Hensley Creek Road, Ukiah.

For more detailed information, visit the college Theatre Department Web site at www.mendocino.edu/theater/deptindex.html or call 707-468-3172.