SHAKESPEARE NYC'S TAMING OF THE SHREW IS GOOD . . .

BUT A LITTLE TOO SLOW

By Laura Bozzone

Shakespeare NYC is currently performing their seventh play, The Taming of the Shrew at The Clurman Theatre. Although there were some problems with their production, they had several talented actors, a great theatre and excellent costumes which just may help this company to be successful in this tough town.

As a whole, the production’s pacing seemed to be a bit slow, which effected the classic one liners between Petruchio played by Geoffery Dawes and Kate played by Denise Cormier. At times, and mostly during monologues/

soliloquies, Dawes and Cormier have great moments, but they fail to really find the colorful relationship between their characters. Dawes brings a very subtle simplicity to well known speeches such as ‘the taming of a wife’ speech.

Cormier has some great physical moments, but could have gone to more of an extreme with the shrewish behavior which may have made her transition into a happy, loving wife more obvious.

Joseph Small plays various servants and page type characters throughout the play and he is a brilliant example of how to make a choice and really go for it. As a result of his dedication to his smaller roles, he brings a lot of the humor

and fun to the production even though he is not on stage for very long.

Gregg Dubner plays the role of Tranio who disguises himself as the Lucentio in order to help the real Lucentio win over and marry Bianca. Dubner delivers a very smart, comical performance as the fake Lucentio.

In addition to Dubner, actor Nicholas Stannard stands out in the role of Baptista. He knows how to use Shakespeare so that it sounds like language an untrained ear is able to understand.

And not to forget, David Arthur Bachrachsplendid characterization of a much older Gremio.

Besides these few standout performances, the costumes really added to the production. Director Beverly Bullock set the play in classical renaissance time and the elaborate costumes and colors helped to show each character’s social status and relationships.

Perhaps the slow pacing was just a result of opening night and getting used to an audience’s reaction. Once the play finds its rhythm, I think this production of The Taming of the Shrew will flow better and will become more comedic because the company certainly has many talented players.

Performances at the CLURMAN THEATRE, Theatre Row,

410 West 42 Street

(between 9th and 10th Avenues)

ORDERING TICKETS

Tickets for Taming of the Shrew may be purchased at .

For tickets by phone call Ticket Central at 212 279 4200 (service fee).

Tickets may also be purchased at the Theatre Row Box Office (no service fee)

from noon until 8:00 on performance days at

410 West 42 Street between Ninth and Tenth Avenues.

PERFORMANCES

THURSDAY 10/26 7:30 preview performance

FRIDAY 10/27 8:00 Opening Night

SATURDAY 10/28 2:00 and 8:00 performances 3 and 4

WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 1 7:30 performance 5

THURSDAY 11/2 7:30 performance 6 followed by Talk-back

FRIDAY 11/3 8:00 performance 7

SATURDAY 11/4 2:00 and 8:00 performances 8 and 9

SUNDAY 11/5 3:00 performance 10

WEDNESDAY 11/8 7:30 performance 11

THURSDAY 11/9 7:30 performance 12

FRIDAY 11/10 8:00 performance 13

SATURDAY 11/11 2:00 and 8:00 performances 14 and 15

TICKET PRICE

Tickets: $18.

Student Rate: people under 16, or with a high school or

college ID: $12

For more information, go to:

Geoffery Dawes as Petruchio