Theater review: The Taming of the Shrew

by Laurie Lynn Lindemeier of John Garcia's The Column

Having seen many "Shakespeare in the Park" performances, I can truly say I'm a huge fan and depend on being pleasantly alarmed at every fresh production. The shockability factor was high on Sunday's yee haw Western presentation of The Taming of the Shrew at the Samuell-Grand Amphitheatre in Dallas, which in no way resembled McClintock, a movie based on the same theme.

As we sat in the cooler night air, perhaps a mere 92, an associate came out, did the thank yous and warned us there'd be gunfire during the show. Shortly after, children attending came round with buckets to collect donations.

Peppy music including "Oh Shrewsanna" set the scene as warm lighting lit up the wooden ranch home pulling us into the feel of a true Western town. One waits to see what they have done to the language of Shakespeare. Will it be traditional or? Can I stomach Shakespeare with a twang?

Ah ... a feeling of relief when the opening lines revealed the familiar sentence structure. Yes, I'll let them sell Shakespeare to me with bandanas, banjos, and guns.

The play, which could be four hours if performed uncut, was naturally sliced down, and the remaining lines spewed with astonishing accuracy at lighting speed. Catching all the innuendos of Shakespeare is impossible, but careful listening reveals timeless humor. In general, the delivery and comedic timing were wonderful by all actors -- no weak links.

Scampering up and down the balcony, the tight-jeaned gun slinging shrew Katherine played by Lydia Mackay displayed amazing dexterity.

Other characters created ranged from a somewhat German accent speaking, Hortensio, with a barbershop mustache played by Ethan Norris, to the crab like, nutty professor-ish, Gremio, played by David Goodwin. Anthony Ramirez's Tranio with an in and out Latin accent did throw me a bit, but his strutting and swishing about was hilarious.

Even though I knew it was coming as a modern day female I squirmed to digest the training and breaking of a woman like a horse depicted in the play. I enjoyed Katherine's wild independence and non compliance. Yet, as the tamed shrew delivered her monolog berating fellow females for pointless obstinate behavior, the theme of devoted love through thick and thin came through in a pleasant way, even as she ran to serve her master.

My frequent belly laughs to an embarrassing volume account to the success of the play. Shakespeare never lets me down and the brazen bawdiness always evident fit right in to the Western setting. The only complaint is not to warn the audience, since children attended, of the man's bottom displayed right before intermission in mooning style. I couldn't resist asking the stage manager at the break if this was a one time "special treat" or a planned stage direction. Since it was planned, I'd prefer a pre-show nudity warning to accompany the one concerning gunshots -- just to cover all of the bases.

So bring your boots, baskets, and low back chairs and settle down for a right nice evenin' at Shakespeare in the Park's shrewdly performed The Taming of the Shrew. After sunset, the grassy hill cools nicely for the curtain at 8:15 p.m., and cream treats by Paciugo are available to chill your tongue. This comedy runs through July 25 on Sundays, Tuesdays, and Saturdays.