'Taming' features 'finely tuned humor'

Critic: ACT play 'outstanding' local production

By Debra Webster

Guest reviewer (Eureka Times-Standard, August 21, 1986)

ARCATA - Kate the curst comes to life at Arcata's Redwood Park and William Shakespeare would be delighted with the results.

"The Taming of the Shrew," the Elizabethan bard's classic, has been interpreted by the Arcata Community Theater to take place in Arcata, during the 1880's. Under the direction of James Floss, the bawdy "western" opened Friday in the park and will continue tonight through Sunday and Aug. 28 through 31.

The story, written about 1597, is Shakespeare at his biting best. Two sisters, Bianca the gentle and beautiful, and Katharina the shrew, are the objects of hilarious, clever courting schemes.

Their father, Baptista, declares that none of Bianca's many suitors shall have her until Kate is wed - a herculean accomplishment, considering her disposition.

But just such a fellow takes the task upon himself. Petruchio, originally a money-seeking gentleman of Verona but rewritten to hail from Ukiah, proves to be more than a match for Kate; the man spits nails and literaIIy eats bugs. Kate is wedded and bedded, but whether the shrew is truly tamed...

The theater's efforts were outstanding, the best I've seen on the North Coast outside Dell'Arte. The finely tuned humor and wit, under the direction of Floss (a highly notable regular of The Chamber Readers) was a success at every turn. The mix of Shakespeare's wit and charm with precision slapstick and subtle vaudevillian antics made for a five-star production.

Even the setting added another glimmering facet; Shakespeare always seems best outdoors, where ample "room" is provided to properly stage the weighty works.

Erika (Riki) Wharton as Kate gave new meaning to the female adjectives "strong" and "sexy." A complex character, Kate' hates Iovers (and it seems the world in general), but yearns to be loved. Her lament over Petruchio's wedding-day delay allows a glimpse into her enigmatic nature.

Wharton seems to excel with such characters. She gave a memorable performance in the lead role of the HSU Theater Arts Department production of "Lysistrata" nearly two years ago. Again the woman was strong and sexy - but not without a tenderness that makes her even more appealing.

Patrick Allan Tromborg as Petruchio, her suitor, was hilarious. His tirades, which seemed to overwhelm even himself at times, could not be outdone. These, coupled with his moments of introspection and even a little self doubt and fear of the shrew, added to the play's amusement without it ever passing into downright farce.

It would be a shame to call the remaining cast merely "supporting." The chemistry was explosive between Sam Klein as Lucentio, David Atherton as Hortentio and Chad Wickworth as Gremio, all Bianca's suitors. Aided by Randy Aromando as Tranio, Lucentio's servant, the lovesick men gave new meaning to the classic chase.

David Cash as Baptista and Molly Logan as Bianca played their parts with a deft seriousness, counteracting some of the crazy antics conducted by the smitten.

And hats off to Janet Hunt as Petruchio's whipping boy, Grumio, and to Josh Gambin as the befuddled Biondello. I hope all of the above team up again for more local theater.

Historically, the "Shrew" is of interest as well. The comedy first appeared in 1623, but in some ways closely resembles a play published in 1594 titled "'The Taming of A Shrew."

It is hard to imagine that Shakespeare wrote both. As a result, the question is raised: Was Shakespeare merely a reviser and adaptor, or did his part consist of adding and altering certain scenes? The latter seems the best guess as "The Taming of the Shrew" contains the comedy and intrigue that is best fueled by effervescent "Will power."