You need a score card to keep track of Bianca's suitors, some of whom switch their names and personalities, adding to the comedic confusion. Among the many standouts are Megan Noble, as the beguiling Bianca; Raymond L. Chapman, as Hortensio; Michael David Edwards, as Tranio; Joe Cronin, as Gremio; Robert Gerard Anderson, as Grumio; and Charles Metten and John-Patrick Driscoll in a variety of roles (the latter hilariously over-the-top as a cross-dressed "widow").

Woronicz has also opted to include Shakespeare's Christopher Sly prologue and epilogue — not always done in other productions. (Sly is a beggar who falls into a drunken sleep just outside a small pub. Sly and the barmaid are played by Connolly and Brott. A prankster and his cohort come along and concoct a wild scheme — making the awakened Sly believe he is a wealthy lord, giving way to "Shrew" being staged as a play-within-a-play to help him recover from his alleged amnesia.)

But the wild antics and rambunctious romancing that follow shouldn't put any USF audience to sleep.

• HENRY IV, PART ONE (running time: two hours, 55 minutes, with one intermission).

Probably one of the most accessible of Shakespeare's histories, "Henry IV, Part One" is a blend of intense politics and high comedy (the latter thanks to the lovable Falstaff and his Boar's Head Tavern buddies).

It's a three-hour play that doesn't seem like a three-hour experience, largely due to J.R. Sullivan's brisk direction and his incomparable cast, including quite a few longtime USF favorites.

Despite the epic scale, the plot essentially boils down to three central characters — Prince Henry of Wales (usually called "Hal"), Henry Percy (also known as Hotspur) and Sir John Falstaff.

The family lines and their various comrades do get slightly complicated, but once you get into the flow of the action, it's an intriguing story told with plenty of action (and, yes, comedy).

The "history" aspect is pretty loose, although many of the key figures were, indeed, real. How Shakespeare addresses the father-son relationship between King Henry IV and Hal is fascinating — thanks to terrific performances by Peter Sham and Jonathan Braithwaite. Especially moving is Hal's transformation from irresponsible rascal to heroic soldier.

There are also fine performances by Brian Vaughn as the doomed Hotspur, Kieran Connolly as the outrageous Falstaff and Charles Metten as Bardolph.

Robin McFarquhar deserves kudos for his direction of the exciting fight sequences.

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The musicals "My Fair Lady" and "Forever Plaid," along with the slice-of-life period drama "Morning's at Seven," can be seen on the Randall L. Jones Theatre stage.

• MY FAIR LADY (running time: two hours, 45 minutes, with one intermission).