For the hardcore theatre fan in Utah this is the time of year when thoughts are turning to the many works of one William Shakespeare and plans are being made to attend a certain annual festival named for the legendary bard, but this month you don’t have to travel all the way to Cedar City to get your Shakespeare fix, only as far south as Draper for the Utah/Idaho Performing Arts Company’s (UNIPAC) highly entertaining production of the Taming of the Shrew at the Historic Draper Theatre. Directed by brilliant up-and-comer Jesse Peery (who is also well known locally for his many impressive acting roles), UNIPAC’s Taming of the Shrew is set in early 1960’s Italy where memories of war are still fresh and Motown is hip. The show opens with a high energy dance number (to the song “Money, That’s What I Want” by Barrett Strong) that establishes the era well, while the costumes (by Brooke Wilkins) as well as the set (by director Peery) successfully combine one of Shakespeare’s most popular comedies with the 1960’s TV show Laugh In. All throughout, great music of the early 60’s populates the production (from “You’ve Really Got a Hold on Me” by the Miracles to “What’d I Say” by Ray Charles to “Respect” by Aretha Franklin), keeping the energy high and the colorful and groovy motif in place.
Taming of the Shrew is the story of two sisters living in Padua whom their father Baptista (played by the always charming Andrew Maizner) is hoping to marry off to worthy suitors. Men from near and far flock to seek the hand of younger daughter Bianca (played with great gusto by the effervescent Tiffany Stoddard) but none can hope to even begin wooing her until her tempestuous and shrewish older sister Kate (played by Brooke Wilkins) is first married off; something that seems more than just unlikely until Petruchio (Michael K. Johnson), a flamboyant young adventurer from Verona arrives to “wive it wealthily in Padua”. Petruchio is not only determined to marry Kate and win her substantial dowry, but also to tame her of her shrewish ways. This clears the way for Bianca’s many suitors to chase after her, some in disguise.
I have learned that Shakespeare translates best to modern audiences when the actors keep the pace quick and energetic. Not all patrons can understand all the language used by Shakespeare’s characters (even though it’s in English… with some Latin tossed in for good measure) but they can always follow the emotions and the humor when actors are expressive enough. Fortunately this production features many talented and experienced actors who brought the bard’s words to the stage and kept the audience thoroughly engaged.
Bringing the most energy to the stage was G. Morgan Walton who played the role of Grumio, Petruchio’s irreverent servant. Having had the privilege to both work with and watch Mr. Walton work in the past, I can tell you truthfully that he is one of Utah’s best comedic talents, especially when it comes to physical comedy. He is willing to fling himself about the stage, get hit over the head, stepped on and otherwise abused as Grumio while also giving some of the best facial expressions and audible reactions throughout the show.
Also bringing the energy was the talented and entertaining character actor Aaron Buckner who played a highly charismatic Hortensio, friend to Petruchio and one of Bianca’s many suitors. Hortensio disguises himself as “Litio”—an Indian music teacher—in his attempt to get close to and win over Bianca, but despite his charm (and spot on accent) he loses out to another disguised suitor, Lucentio (played by Jonathan Sherman Tate) who has won Bianca over posing as “Cambio”, a poetry tutor. Hortensio is not the only suitor to fail to win Bianca’s love. Wealthy old lothario Gremio (played by stage veteran Gordon Jones) also loses out in the Bianca sweepstakes despite his considerable fortune. Gremio never dawns a disguise in his attempt to woo Bianca, focusing instead on impressing the girl’s father Baptista with his wealth. Mr. Jones was wonderful as Gremio but to be honest, knowing him and Mr. Maizner (Baptista) as well as I do from their previous work, had I been casting this show I would have cast Mr. Jones as Baptista and Mr. Maizner as Gremio, seeing more of their own personalities in those roles than in the ones they actually performed. This is just my personal preference and not a knock on Jesse Peery’s casting decisions. Both actors were terrific in the roles they played.
Moving back from that casting tangent, I’d like to spotlight one more cast member who I thought really gave the standout performance of the night. Bright young actress Natalia V. Noble didn’t steal the show as Lucentio’s servant Tranio; she took it hostage and received a hefty king’s ransom for it. Ms. Noble gave a truly heartfelt and entertaining performance as the dedicated servant who pretends to be Lucentio, freeing up (his) master to pose as “Cambio” the poetry tutor and win Bianca’s heart. The role of Tranio is written for a man, but Peery’s decision to cast a woman in the part paid off well, and gave us hardcore Shakespeare fans a very welcome Twelfth Night vibe with Ms. Noble’s Tranio standing in for Viola.
Whether you are a diehard Shakespeare fan or just looking for a good show to watch, you should head on down to Draper right away and discover why Taming of the Shrew has stayed so popular for four centuries. I highly recommend it.
The Taming of the Shrew runs until May 12th at the Draper Historic Theatre located at 12366 South and 900 East in Draper, Utah. For show times, tickets and more information please visit the Utah/Idaho Performing Arts Company online at www.unipac150.org.
