The 2016 Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival “Shakespeare for Kids” production, based on “The Taming of the Shrew,” is a combination of songs, puppets and scenes that “take Shakespeare’s comedy and breaks it down for kids.”

The show, adapted by Erin Sheffield, opened July 27 and concludes Aug. 6 on the Main Stage, Labuda Center for the Performing Arts, DeSales University, Center Valley.

“I’d say my influences range from ‘Looney Tunes’ cartoons to ‘Saturday Night Live.’ There’s a good bit of ‘Sesame Street’ and ‘SpongeBob SquarePants,’” says “Shakespeare for Kids” Director Matt Pfeiffer.

Pfeiffer designed the production as a way for kids to experience Shakespeare’s language and characters in a fun and interactive way.

“The hope is that the live experience is exciting and memorable, thus inviting kids, as they get older, to continue to explore these great works,” Pfeiffer says.

Pfeiffer has directed or appeared in more than 30 productions in his 17 seasons at PSF, including “The Taming of the Shrew,” which he directed for the 2016 PSF season.

Pfeiffer is Associate Artistic Director of Theatre Exile, Philadelphia. His stage credits include Two River Theatre, Walnut Street Theatre, Delaware Theatre Company and Orlando Shakespeare Theatre.

The “Shakespeare for Kids” cast, dubbed ‘Team Shakespeare,” includes Peter Danelski, Andrew Goegel, Sean Diveny and Patti-Lee Meringo.