| :: NewYorkQnews.com :: FireIslandQnews.com :: QnewsMegaMall.com :: GayLifeInAmerica.com :: TheBestOfFireIsland.com :: FireIslandRealtors.com |
 |
|
|
| |
|
|
Next Stage Thrills with "Taming of the Shrew" |
|
|
by Sherri Rase | >> see bio |
|
|
 |
|
|
photo by Joe Geinert
|
|
| Claire Kennedy as Katherine & Jason Bobb as Petruchio |
|
On August 3, Gay Activist Alliance in Morris County (GAAMC) presented its annual evening of Shakespeare. For more than 10 years, GAAMC has hosted the Next Stage Ensemble of the Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey. This year, Next Stage brought us the classic "Taming of the Shrew" adapted for length and directed by Doug West, now in his eighth year with the Company.
Formerly known as the New Jersey Shakespeare Festival, the Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey is recognized as one of the finest companies in the country, dedicated to the works of the Immortal Bard, as well as other classics, and the only one of its kind in its home state. The Next Stage Ensemble tours the sylvan hills of New Jersey and environs to bring culture to the masses. Next Stage typically has two shows in rolling repertory and this year's other work was "The Odyssey," but back to our "Shrew."
West's adaptation of this classic of a different kind of crossed lovers-not so much star-crossed as cross with one another-retains the comedy and faux majesty of the original, while rendering a production that runs for about an hour and a half with no intermission. The audience included young children and they sat in rapt attention throughout. The production has a single set, behind which different characters appear, changing clothing and often genders. There is nothing like a touring show-and no matter how well you know your blocking and lines, adapting to different spaces can be challenging. Clearly this stellar cast thrived on the challenge and turned in some dazzling performances.
The scene opens with a harried father, Baptista-played here by Connor Carew-receiving entreaties from rivals for his daughter Bianca's affections-the young handsome Hortensio (Tyler Eglen) and the older good provider Gremio (Nathan Perry). Baptista holds the line that Bianca, played vivaciously by the buxom beauty Kristen Kittel, may not bestow her affections until her older sister Katherine, the versatile Claire Kennedy, is married. Oooh, how traditional! Katherine is by turns icy and beautiful as a statue, yet using her education as a rapier, rather than a bludgeon, shredding her adversaries into dazzlingly even ribbons of angst. Yet she longs for love, is devoted to her father and determined to torture her sister, who is considered both desirable and sweet. Bleggh! Meanwhile Bianca's got another would-be suitor-the young Lucentio (Will Mobley), who is traveling with his servants Tranio (Isabella Steele) and Biondello (Philip Estrera), as any well born young man would. When smitten with Bianca's beauty, he throws his hat into the ring. Baptista has said that before Bianca may even consider a suitor, she needs a tutor and here's where the plot thickens. The man-Tranio - switches places with the master-Lucentio-to woo and win the maiden on his behalf. Holy Cyrano-here we go! Enter Petruchio (Jason Bobb), a good friend of Hortensio, who agrees to woo and wed Kate. Thus, the game is afoot.
There is a mad scheme hatched by Gremio and Hortensio each to put his own tutor in place to gain an advantage. Gremio puts Lucentio-playing Tranio-in as his tutor and Hortensio disguises himself while placing Petruchio in Baptista's hands. Petruchio and Baptista hatch a bargain and thus is Kate wed before she is even aware. Petruchio takes her off to his rough-and-tumble home to starve her into submission, under the guise of tender care, and both come to respect the strength of one another's nature.
Meanwhile, Tranio as Lucentio realizes that the bargain struck for Bianca's hand requires someone playing the Pater of the son he claims to be. A pedant-William Webber-is the hapless gull from Mantua, who becomes convinced his safety relies upon becoming Vincentio-a wealthy merchant from Pisa. Further, while faux Vincentio is about as different as possible from the actual Vincentio (Nathan Perry again) and when matter meets anti-matter, in the form of two Vincentios, the merriment ensues.
Leslie Hart-playing the not-so-merry widow whom Hortensio ultimately marries-moves among her many roles with great aplomb. Philip Guerette as the hapless hopelessly silly Grumio, has a thousand expressions, each of which were seen at least twice. The entire ensemble is delightful and brings this adaptation to vibrant life. There is a great chemistry between Kate and Petruchio that is like sandpaper and satin. Kennedy's manner by turns icy and then meltingly sweet, with a subtle array of emotions ranging across her expressive face shows the turmoil Kate feels within. Likewise, Bobb's Petruchio is, by turns, brash, then sometimes wondering who's got whose tiger by the tail. This troupe is always a pleasure to see.
The setting, broadly speaking, was the Old West, but the language was entirely Olde English. Yet once the rhythm of the speech lulls one into the world of the play, truly it is the play's the thing.
While the Next Stage Ensemble tours only through August 8, the Main Stage productions of the Shakespeare Theatre of NJ continues at the F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre located in Madison, NJ, on the campus of Drew University. The next production is Michael Frayn's riotous "Noises Off," opening on August 5. Perhaps I'll see you there!
For more information about the Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey's 2009 season, continuing through December, visit the website at www.ShakespeareTheatreNJ.org.
|
|
|
.........................................................................................................................................................................................
 |
|
|
 |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
| FEATURED HOME FOR SALE |
|
|
|
|
MORE FIRE ISLAND HOMES FOR SALE & RENT AT:
The Best of Fire Island.com >> |
|
| - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Return to Top of the Page
We are pledged to the letter and the spirit of U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity
throughout the Nation. We encourage and support an affirmative advertising and marketing program in
which there are no barriers to obtain housing because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familiar
status, sexual orientation or national origin.
Equal Housing Opportunity. All material presented herein is intended for information purpose only.
While the information is believed to be correct, it is presented subject to errors, omissions,
changes or withdrawal without notice.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
HOME | SHOW LISTINGS | NEW YORK CITY | ART & MUSEUMS | REAL ESTATE | RESTAURANTS | SHOPPING
BROADWAY | OFF-BROADWAY | OFF-OFF-BROADWAY
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
NewYorkQnews.com | FireislandQnews.com | QnewsMegaMall.com | GayLifeInAmerica.com | TheBestOfFireIsland.com | FireIslandRealtors.com
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
© 2008 QOnStage.com - All Rights Reserved
Design, Implementation, and Maintenance Provided By Circa58/59
Privacy Policy, Disclaimer
|
|
