BWW Reviews: Atlanta Shakespeare Company's THE TAMING OF THE SHREW is a Devilish Whirl

Atlanta Shakespeare Company welcomes spring at The New American Shakespeare Tavern with a light, farcical comedy, The Taming of the Shrew. Directed by Jeffery Watkins, this production of The Taming of the Shrew is easy to engage in making it perfect for someone new to Shakespeare's works.

In the Italian city of Padua, Baptista lives with his two daughters. Both daughters are known in their own way throughout the town. Bianca is known for her beauty and charm, while her sister, Katherina, is known for her shrewish temper. Bianca's suitors start to grow weary as Baptista will not allow Bianca to marry until Katherina marries. Petruchio arrives in Padua and proves to be the only one who is not afraid of Kate's devilish ways.

Atlanta Shakespeare Company's all-star cast brings this battle of the sexes alive on stage. The show certainly begins at a high point with the most stand-out power duo in this production- Jonathan Horne as Lucentio and Joshua Diboll as Tranio. Both performers are articulate in their roles with great physicality. Another great duo is Matt Nitche as Petruchio and Drew Reeves as Grumio. The comedic timing is strong with these characters. Doug Kaye is entertaining as the always-drinking Baptista. Kristin Storla portrays Bianca as the whiny baby sister to Kate played by Mary Russell.

The chemistry between Nitche's Petruchio and Russell's Kate could have been stronger, but they have some great moments throughout the performance that show tenderness in these two shrewish characters. These moments are a nice break from an overall very campy performance.

The campiness can work for a comedy like The Taming of the Shrew because it makes the show perhaps easier to understand and to keep engaged in. This performance is appropriate for a wide range of audience members. It is a great production to introduce older children and teenagers to Shakespeare and is also good for those who get intimidated by Shakespeare.

The costume design by Anne Carole Butler is wonderful with great pieces for Lucentio/Tranio, Bianca and Kate. Matt Feten's lighting design is just right for a comedy like Shrew.

Upon arrival to The New American Shakespeare Tavern, one may notice the building looks somewhat out of place in the middle of the city of Atlanta. The tavern itself is fashioned after the Elizabethan playhouses similar to those of Shakespeare's days. Enter through the two large wooden doors and descend down the staircase to the stage, and it feels like traveling back in time. The tavern is unique is its setup in how it is part pub/part theater. But this is not your normal dinner theater.

In the back of the theater is a kitchen where dinner is prepared before each show. Audience members can buy dinner at the kitchen counter and take it back to their table. There is also a bar that sells bottle beer, draft beer, wine and fantastic soda floats (available at intermission).

The Taming of the Shrew opens March 26, 2015 and runs through April 4, 2015. Performances are Thursday-Saturday at 7 p.m., Sunday at 6:30 p.m.., and some Tuesday and Wednesday performances at 10 a.m.. The New American Shakespeare Tavern Playhouse is located at 499 Peachtree Street NE, Atlanta, GA, 30308. Tickets can be purchased at www.ShakespeareTavern.com.

Upcoming productions at the Tavern include:

Thornton Wilder's Our Town running April 9-26, 2015

The Merchant of Venice running April 30-May 24, 2015

Coriolanus running May 28-June 14, 2015

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