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Civic Theatre stages
delightful modern-day 'Shrew'
by
Carina Hume, News-Review Special Writer
It's
Shakespeare with a twist. Set in modern day, with values of old, a wealthy
father must choose suitors for his daughters.
Bianca, the youngest, is blonde and delicate with
fashionable, feminine dress. Katharina, is a tomboy, as disheveled as the
ponytail worn in her hair, the "Shrew" desired by none. The
conundrum lies in the fact that the sisters' father will not marry off Bianca
before "Kate." Humor reigns and ruses prevail while
Shakespeare's words tell the tale.
"The
Taming of the Shrew, " written by William Shakespeare, is being performed
by the Little Traverse Civic Theatre. Directed by Betsy Willis with
assistance by Suzanne R. Shumway, this visually stimulating comedy is set in
Padua, Italy, in modern-day.
The
rotating set features stone-faced Italian arches, seating areas and assorted
greenery to create an open and practical space for a full cast or effective as
an intimate setting for two with Italian music playing in the background.
The use of the auditorium aisles for entrances and varied staging lends movement
to the energetic performance. With
"daddy" in charge, much conniving ensues as various suitors, young and
old, try to win Bianca--her money, not her heart--save one young suitor who
begins a quest to win it all. Lucentio, (Chris Schaedig) with his wily
good looks, enlists the help of his loyal servants, Tranio (Chris Koury) and
Biondello (Nicholas Arkison), to obtain his goal. As part
of an initial ruse, the first meeting between the undesirable and wiled Kate,
played flawlessly by Rebecca Sand-Dugas, and Petruchio, an abrasive and colorful
wretch, perfectly portrayed by Gary Albert, is heated and entertaining.
They each have met their match. Baptista
Minola (Dean Tahtinen), capitalizes on this first available, willing suitor's
interest in his eldest daughter and gives his blessing. His hopes for
Bianca, played demurely by the picture-perfect Alexandra J. Grandstaff, is much
more--the greatest dower wins. Of
special note is the humor and honesty which relentlessly spews forth from
Grumio, servant to Petruchio, admirably portrayed by Joshua Hill. With a
tremendously supportive ensemble cast, the "taming" of the
"shrew" becomes evident in a jovial finale, which consists of
encounters with male ego insecurities and a surprise as to who really wins a
truer love in the end. "The
Taming of the Shrew" is being performed today, Friday, through Sunday, May
7-9, and Thursday through Saturday, May 13-15, in the Ross Stoakes Theatre at
the Crooked Tree Arts Center in Petoskey. Curtain is at 8 p.m., except for
the Sunday matinee at 2 p.m. Tickets are $12 for all evening performances,
and $6 for the Sunday matinee. For ticket reservations, call 348-1850.
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