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It's the Tony Award-winning Cole Porter musical about people doing a musical version of Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew. But their production is plagued by backstage problems galore. The two leads, once happily married in real life, are now divorced and not very fond of one another. And thanks to a little mix-up in a delivery of flowers, things are going to get much worse long before they get better. Add to that a couple of theatre-loving thugs looking to collect a gambling debt of ten g's, and you've got the makings of a pleasant romantic musical comedy.
Overall the acting is fairly average for a big national tour, but that "average" label certainly does not apply to Rachel York who plays Lilli Vanessi/Kate. Her exquisite voice soars in the ballad So In Love. Her terrific talent for comedic acting is more than evident in her I Hate Men number, which left me both laughing and cringing at the same time as she clearly and vehemently expressed her disdain for the members of my gender. Rachel is joined by Rex Smith, the two of them teaming up earlier on Broadway as the very popular duo in The Scarlet Pimpernel. Rex may not have the smooth voice or remarkable acting ability of his co-star, but he certainly does have his moments such as when the flower mix-up hits the fan and he knows he's in big, big trouble. Jenny Hill as the flirtatious Lois Lane/Bianca and Chuck Wagner as General Harrison Howell, Lilli's new boyfriend, turn in fairly strong performances. Gangsters Richard Poe and Michael Arkin manage some laughs, but with a little better timing and expressions probably could have managed more laughs with their highly amusing roles. And the ensemble is strongest in their dancing, where they kick off the second act with a well-choreographed that was Too Darn Hot. Although this touring production would probably not have garnered the five Tony Awards that the Broadway revival won in 2000, it is an entertaining musical and story that left me with the tunes playing in my head all the way home, as well as laughing (and cringing!) at Rachel York's memorable performance. Rob Hopper ~ Cast ~
Hattie: Susan Beaubian Paul: Randy Donaldson Ralph (Stage Manager): Kevin B. McGlynn Lois Lane: Jenny Hill Bill Calhoun: Jim Newman Lilli Vanessi: Rachel York Dance Captain: Lee A. Wilkins Fred Graham: Rex Smith Harry Trevor: Herman Petras Pops (Stage Doorman): Keith Howard Cab Driver: Steven Sofia First Man: Richard Poe Second Man: Michael Arkin Harrison Howell: Chuck Wagner ~ "Taming of the Shrew" Players ~ Bianca: Jenny Hill Baptista: Herman Petras Gremio: Stephen Reed Hortensio: John D. Baker Lucentio: Jim Newman Katharine: Rachel York Petruchio: Rex Smith Nathaniel: Lee A. Wilkins Gregory: Steven Sofia Philip: Roland Rusinek Haberdasher: Michael Lackey ~ Ensemble ~ John D. Baker Tina Marie Casamento Juliet Fischer Ivy Fox Keith Howard Michael Lackey Rachel Lafer Kevin B. McGlynn Kimberly Dawn Neumann Stephen Reed Marci Reid Roland Rusinek Margaret Shafer Steven Sofia Lee A. Wilkins ~ Swings ~ Lisa A. Mayer Jody Reynard Laura Schutter Matthew J. Vargo Carmen Yurich Director: Michael Blakemore Musical Director: Paul Gemignani Choreographer: Kathleen Marshall Scenic Designer: Robin Wagner Costume Designer: Martin Pakledinaz Lighting Designer: Peter Kaczorowski |
