Shrew successfully tamed
Raucous romp from Shakespeare NW
by Christopher Key
One of the things that Shakespeare Northwest has done to expand its audience is to perform in a variety of venues throughout Skagit and Whatcom Counties. That’s a very good thing for Bard buffs who want to keep their carbon footprint relatively low. It also makes Shakespeare performances more accessible to more people and that’s a recipe for success.
The Taming of the Shrew has often been described as a battle of the sexes. In the capable hands of Whatcom Community College director Gerry Large, it’s more like full-scale war. We’re talking shock and awe here.
Many of the performances will be at WCC and that gives Large the chance to show off his new performance space. It’s a remodeling project that has melded the old black box into the larger auditorium of the Syre Student Center. Despite my fondness for the black box, I have to admit the new space is more versatile and can accommodate a larger audience. That will be needed for this production.
This Shrew appeals both to purists who dislike non-traditional settings and radicals who want a fresh approach. The time and location are traditional. The interpretation is not.
Large gives Kate and Petruchio plenty of room to sizzle, but also gives more room for the other characters to flesh out. I’ve had the pleasure of working with Sarah Mickelson many times and it’s high time she had the chance to play the role she was obviously born for. Her Kate is pitch-perfect, volatile and sexy.
Kate (Sarah Mickelson) and Petruchio (Matt Riggins) negotiate a temporary cease fire in Shakespeare Northwest's production of The Taming of the Shrew. Photo credit - Christopher Key
Matt Riggins and I have also shared the stage a few times and it is gratifying to watch him mature as an actor. He is the ultimate Male Chauvinist Petruchio, snorting, barking and howling in a truly primitive performance. That’s high praise in this instance.
I’m told that the astounding Ben Stahl is leaving for greener pastures and that’s a shame because he brings such energy and originality to every character he plays. He’s the elderly Gremio in this show and flaunts his physicality and expressive face. As Hortensio, Guy Smith delivers a flamboyant performance that nearly steals the show.
Rossner Randolph and Patrick Holahan switch back and forth in their roles as Tranio and Lucentio with an ease that belies the difficulty of that challenge. I’ve never had the pleasure of seeing William Walker before and he delivers a high-camp take on Grumio that is a total delight.
Kate’s sister Bianca is often eclipsed by the larger role, but Lydia Randall gives the character a life of its own. Sandy Brewer exemplifies exasperation as Baptista Minola, the put-upon father of two difficult daughters. As the much-abused servant Biondello, Jill Likkel wins by a nose.
The rest of the cast deserves more of a mention that I have space for, but Shu-Ling Zhao, Nathan Dodge, Selena Flannery, John Malone, Debra Smith, Sophie Weatherby and Colleen Ames more than meet the standards that I expect from this festival.
The Taming of the Shrew plays at Whatcom Community College July 21 – 24 and 29 – 31 at 8:00 p.m. and July 24 and 31 at 2:00 p.m. The production moves to Skagit Valley College for performances August 6, 7, and 12 at 8:00 p.m. and August 14 at 2:00 p.m. For tickets, call (360) 201-6893 or see the site: www.shakesnw.org.
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