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Taming of the Shrew by Coronado Playhouse 
You can get something for nothing at the Coronado Playhouse's Annual Free Outdoor Shakespeare Festival. In fact, this year's Taming of the Shrew turned out to be one of the more entertaining shows I've seen all year, and I'm not even a big "Taming of the Shrew" fan. For the fifth year the Coronado Playhouse has provided free Shakespearean entertainment in their little outdoor stage, packing the house every night (most people make a $5 donation, but it is not required).
One of the great features of this production is the "Pre-Show" cast. They perform some comedy and musical sketches before the show, as well as constantly interacting with the audience. During the show they change the props around, and have a fun time doing it (at one point even conscripting a surprised but amused audience member to help set some chairs on the stage). At intermission a couple of them (Amity Dawn Caffarella and Skyler A. Dennon) regale the audience by singing a few songs in Italian, German, and French, one of them being from the current big hit musical in France of Romeo and Juliet. After the show they greet you as you leave. It was all very charming, and led by Pre-Show Coordinator DINO who had the audience eating out of his hands. The same hands he clapped twice to start every new scene, soon resulting in several audience members joining him in the clapping. Oh yes, and there was a show, too! A very well done one at that, with Holly MacDonald leading the way as Kate (a.k.a. the Shrew) who must be tamed by the cocky (and greedy) Petruchio, played by Jeffrey Lippold. Holly is magnificent as the scathing, headstrong, independent older sister whom all men in Padua fear. Their problem is that they all want to marry Kate's young, beautiful, lovable sister Bianca (Amy Mayer), but the father, Baptista (Jay Mawhinney) won't let Bianca be married until after someone marries Kate. As you might imagine, Bianca and Kate don't get along all that well. The childish sister-sister fights between the two provided many of the most hilarious scenes of the evening with Holly MacDonald's frustrated attacks and Amy Mayer's hysterical expressions and girlish screams.  As Petruchio, Jeffrey Lippold is appropriately but nauseatingly smug as he manages to gain Baptista's permission to marry his daughter Kate, and then "lovingly" withholds food, water, and sleep from her until she submits to his rule as lord of the house. Helping and hindering him are two crazy, always-ready-to-fight sidekicks, Biondella (Kathryn Lee Moss, who also does an amusing turn as his maid, Frances) and Grumio (Richard O'Casey).
Also turning in a good performance was Brian P. Evans as Lucentio, the winning suitor of Bianca. His funny, if almost overly silly, expressions and body language, plus his romantic romp with Bianca in the second act, were very entertaining. But probably not to poor, old Gremio (William W. Savage), who lost in his pursuit of Bianca but took it like a gentleman. Unlike most Shakespearean productions, this one was pretty easy to understand. Director Keith A. Anderson opted for clarity over the obscure poetic references that riddle the four hundred-year-old script. As it turned out, the dialogue flowed very smoothly and the cleverness of Shakespeare's wit was not lost by his outdated words. Will wouldn't mind. I know, because he actually came to the show and gave it his blessing before it started. Rob Hopper San Diego Playbill ~ Cast ~
Master of the Revels: DINO Lucentio/Cambio of Florence and Pisa: Brian P. Evans Tranio/Lucentio, servant of Lucentio: George Blum Baptista Minola: Jay Mahwinney Bianca Minola: Amy Mayer Katherina Minola, the Shrew: Holly MacDonald Gremio: William W. Savage Hortensio: Franklin White Biondella: Kathryn Lee Moss Petruchio: Jeffrey Lippold Grumio, servant to Petruchio: Richard O'Casey Frances, Petruchio's servant: Kathryn Lee Moss Curtis, Petruchio's servant: Dale Hudson Another Servant: Sharon Boskovich Tailor/Officer: Marcus Correia Vincentio: Alan Brian Clark Pedant/Vicentio Imposter: Alex Sandie Widow: Shannan Palmer ~ Pre-Show Performers ~ Pre-Show Director/Coordinator: DINO (jester) Roger le Gaie/Musical Director: Skyler Dennon Madrigal Singer: Amity Dawn Caffarella Madrigal Singer/Lady Nicole: Amy Mayer Madrigal Singer/Wandering Bard: Jay Mawhinney Madrigal Singer/Witch: Shannon Palmer Guitar Players: Tim Caffarella Mike Ellison Frankie Taitingfong Amy Caffarella Percy Ellis/Madrigal Singer: Ed Mout Sir Ferdinand/Madrigal Singer: Anthony Garcia Sheriff: Daniel Huston Face Painter: Sara Huston Fairies: Audrey Boo Lauren Johnson Pixies: Kelsey Johnson Alexandra Mootry Jester: Jeff Curry Director: Keith A. Anderson Assistant Director/Producer: Mary Anderson Pre-Show/Prod. Stage Manager: DINO Stage Managers: Dale Hudson and Sharon Boskovich Assistant Stage Managers: Teena and Marcus Correia Set Design/Technical Director: Thom Waldman Lighting/Sound Design: David Waldman Costume Design: Gabrielle Martinez, DINO, and Mary Anderson |