BWW Reviews: THE TAMING OF THE SHREW with a Wild West Twist at Orlando Shakespeare

THE TAMING OF THE SHREW is one of Shakespeare's most famous comedies. In popular culture the play was translated into the 1999 movie 10 Things I Hate About You starring Heath Ledger and Julia Stiles. To keep the content entertaining Orlando Shakespeare Theater staged this production in the wild west, which fit the material perfectly.

Set in the "wild west" town of Padua, Baptista Minola has two daughters, one the very beautiful and lady-like Bianca, and Katherina (Kat), who is the raunchy untamed shrew. While Bianca has many suitors, their father refuses to let them marry until the older sister is married first. While it seems simple, Kat is not one to be tamed easily. Most of the townspeople and her family fear her temper. What kind of man can tame a wild woman? Why, a man seeking fortune. Besides the money, Petruchio also likes the challenge.

Petruchio and Katherina marry then begins the taming of the shrew. Using mental torture, sleep and food deprivation, and a touch of Shakespearean compliments, Petruchio tames the wild woman and turns her into an obedient wife. Before women get offended by the patriarchal overtones, it is important to remember that women were considered inferior during Shakespeare's time. So as the inner feminist cringes, remember it is a comedy.

Katherina is played by Deanna Gibson who fits the rough-edged and loud nature of her character. She puts up a fight the entire time and also screams almost every line. Gibson gives a memorable performance as Kat transitions from headstrong to subservient wife.

Petruchio played by Geoffrey Kent. He is suave, cunning, and somewhat cruel. Kent plays the character with the zeal as described in Shakespeare's text. It is hard not to love Kent's Petruchio. In fact, all the men have a charm about them. Some are suave and handsome like Lucentio, Tranio, and Hortensio (Chris Ryan, Jim Ireland, and Chris Metz), while others are sweet, but not all there like Gremio, Biondello, and Grumio (BranDon Roberts, Seth Wallen, and Brad DePlanche). Whatever your taste, there is a variety of men in Padua.

This cast has the timing and slapstick humor on point. The material is much easier to understand and the innuendos cross time easily. There is actual tumbleweed, gun slinging, and campfires that transport the story from old Italy to the wild west. It seems a natural setting for the telling of THE TAMING OF THE SHREW.

Directed by Jim Helsinger, THE TAMING OF THE SHREW runs until October 6, 2013. For tickets and more information visit www.orlandoshakes.org.

Photo Credit: Julie Fletcher

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