‘The Taming of the Shrew’ is an outstanding revival at The Shakespeare Theatre in Madison

BY STUART DUNCAN

NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM

N.J. THEATER REVIEW

There is a moment, early in the outstanding revival of "The Taming of the Shrew" which is opening the summer season at The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey in Madison, that lets you know that you are in for something special. Petruchio (stunningly played by Steve Wilson who kept reminding me all night of an Elizabethian Jimmy Stewart) has announced that he has "come to wive it wealthily in Padua." And we have already seen just enough of Katherina (Victoria Mack, back for her seventh season in Madison) to know that she is more than a mere handful.

And the pair meet for the first time, with Papa's blessing (Joseph Costa who makes all the previous Baptista Minolas look very old and tired) and as their eyes meet, director Bonnie Monte (celebrating her 20th year in Madison — is it possible?) has allowed a lovely pause. If this were a film, we might have a musical sting, but here it is just a tiny pause. But it says it all — these two are going to be a delicious match. Oh, they make fight or bite or scratch (even without fight director Rick Sordelet) but there will be real passion. And, in the end, it's going to work out.

And from there, one of the finest under casts ever seen take over. Mostly we have a company of veterans: Jon Barker, who plays Tranio, is back for his third summer; likewise Katie Fabel, who plays Bianca. James Michael Reilly, as Grumio, is a huge crowd pleaser and why not? He is back for his 18th season with the company. Jack Moran is in his seventh year (as Lucentio;) Scott Whitehurst, as Hortensio, is back for his eighth; John Seidman, as Gremio, for his third; Jake Berger plays multiple roles and is returning for his ninth summer. Newcomers include Joel Rainwater, Amanda Bailey and Stewart Schneck

Director Monte has neatly balanced the slapstick and more traditional humor, punctuating the fast pace with breathtaking scene changes in which the entire company obviously has a job to do. One of the hallmarks of a Monte production is clear, crisp diction, with every phrase given attention. Particularly important in such a stylish comedy.

Shakespeare apparently stole his plot from an anonymous comedy written in 1594 and acted by the players of the Earl of Pembroke. For this production, the prologue which is played out for Christopher Sly, a drunken tinker, has mercifully be cut.

"The Taming of the Shrew" continues at The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey, 36 Madison Ave. in Madison through June 27. Please call the box office at (973) 408-5600 for performance times, information and reservations or go to www.sharkespearenj.org.