**** Highly Recommended Marti Lyons, Remy Bumppo’s Artistic Director, had a vision – a new look at Shakespeare’s most chauvinistic play. Her new adaptation of The Taming of the Shrew, now on stage at the Court Theatre, brings a modern, tongue-in-cheek twist to an old story. In addition to the outstanding cast of ten, I loved the staging, the costumes, the set – and the six silent shrews! 4 BIG Spotlights
In an announcement, we were informed that five ‘guests’ will be performing in The Taming of the Shrew. Lord K will be playing Baptisto, Lady K will play Katherina. Lord B will play Lucentio, Lady B will play Bianca and finally, Chris Sly, Lady B’s personal assistant, will play Tranio. More background information about them can be found in a program-insert called The Shrew Experience. By the way, in the original, the play is performed as a kind of ‘history’ for Christopher Sly, a drunk convinced that he’s a lord.
Melisa Soledad Pereyra, Nate Santana, Ryder Dean McDaniel, Monica West, Mark L. Montgomery, and Netta Walker by Michael Brosilow
After the five ‘guests’ dressed in glamorous evening clothes reach the stage, they are met by shrews dressed as footmen. After taking their coats and cell phones, the shrews hand them each a costume piece and escort them offstage. Monica West, dressed in black leather, seems to be the play's director.
So, Baptisto (Lord K aka Mark L Montgomery) is beset by suitors for his beautiful younger daughter, Bianca (Lady B aka Netta Walker). The leading contenders seem to be Hortensio (Samuel Taylor) and Gremio (Dexter Zollicoffer). Before either can court Bianca, however, Baptisto insists that his other daughter, Katherina (Lady K aka Melisa Soledad Pereyra) must be married first. There are just two obstacles to that goal, however Katherina refuses to be married, and no one wants to marry her.
Samuel Taylor, Jay Whittaker, Ryder Dean McDaniel, Dexter Zollicoffer, Nate Santana, and Mark L. Montgomery by Michael Brosilow
When Lucentio (Nate Santana) comes to Padua to study, he too falls in love with Bianca. Disguising himself as Cambio, he applies for a job as tutor to Bianca, hoping she’ll fall for him. His servant, Tranio (Chris Sly aka Ryder Dean McDaniel) pretends to be him. Meanwhile, since Baptisto is looking for tutors, both Hortensio and Gremio also disguise themselves. Let the competition commence!
When Petruchio (Jay Whittaker) arrives in Padua looking for a bride, he met Hortensio, a friend of his father’s who told him about Katherina, so he decides he’ll marry her. His approach is a little different than most – announcing that he’ll take her – and Baptisto snaps up his offer. Setting the following Sunday as their wedding date, Petruchio returns to Verona to prepare for his bride.
Melisa Soledad Pereyra, Dexter Zollicoffer, Jay Whittaker, Ryder Dean McDaniel, and Mark L. Montgomery by Michael Brosilow
A reluctant Katherina, wearing a gorgeous white brocade gown, waits for her groom, who is late. Wearing old clothing, Petruchio saunters up to the altar, marries Katherina, and drags her away from the celebration. When they finally arrive in Verona, tired and hungry, he begins his campaign to tame her. Eventually Kate sees that there might be strength in submission. By the way, there is some serious chemistry between these two!
Back in Padua, seeing that someone else has the inside track with Bianca, Hortensio marries a wealthy Widow (Monica West). By the time Petruchio and Katherina return for Bianca’s wedding, she is a changed woman.
Nate Santana and Netta Walker by Michael Brosilow
Kudos to Set Designer Jackie Fox for the white tiled set in front of a deep red curtain. Surprisingly, with a lighting change, that curtain became transparent, revealing hidden scenes. Sometimes it was tied back, other times it was open. There wasn’t a lot of scenery or props, but what there was – scattered orange trees representing an orchard, a dining table, maybe a settee – the shrews carried. Scene changes can be distracting to the audience, but the shrews fit right in.
Both my friend Crista and I were taken with Kotryna Hilko’s gorgeous costumes. The gowns were made of layers of exquisite brocades in rich colors with fabulous ornamentation yet tiny modern touches. While the men from Padua usually wore the frocked coats, Petruchio sauntered in wearing all black leather. Swoon!
Samuel Taylor, Jay Whittaker, and Melisa Soledad Pereyra by Michael Brosilow
Kudos to the cast once again, as several actors played multiple parts, while everyone was part of the ensemble.
The Taming of the Shrew runs through December 14th at Court Theatre, 5535 S. Ellis Ave., Chicago. Parking is free in the garage north of the theater.
Running time: approximately 2 hours, 15 minutes, with an intermission. Performances: Wednesdays, Thursdays & Fridays at 7:30 pm; Saturdays & Sundays at 2:00 & 7:30 pm. Tickets range from $60-$90. FYI (773) 753-4472 or www.courttheatre.org.