Age-old battle of the sexes wages on

Shakespeare’s ‘The Taming of the Shrew’ rekindles the gender rivalry in splendid Liberty production

By RICHARD A. ROSS

LIBERTY NY — The Hundred Years’ War between England and France lasted from 1337-1443. While noteworthy for its length, the seemingly endless tug of war for control of the French throne rates as a mere skirmish compared to the age-old battle between men and women for the upper hand in their relationships.

That oft-contentious friction between the sexes is central to Shakespeare’s comedy “The Taming of the Shrew,” which is enjoying a delightful revival on the open stage in Liberty’s LaPolt Park, peopled by a cast of energetic youth under the artful direction of Oliver King. The classic play, which was first performed more than 500 years ago in 1594, is part of Liberty’s Bicentennial celebration, as the village takes note of its 200th birthday this coming weekend.

The talented young actors King has assembled mingle with the audience prior to the first scene, telling them something about themselves. The director then previews the first scene with a brief description of what is about to take place, as he does before each of the subsequent scenes. King has also pared down the text to make it more accessible both to his actors and the audience.

As the play opens, Lucentio (Stephen Webber) has arrived in Padua to pursue his education with his servant Tranio (Francis Henderson), when the wealthy merchant Baptista Minola (Sophia Mahmoud) enters with his daughters, the shrewish Katherina, called “Kate” (Jessica Newhall), and the sweet-tempered Bianca (Lori Brennan), whom Lucentio immediately determines to woo.

Baptista tells two suitors of Bianca, Gremio (Jonathan Bryant) and Hortensio (Joseph Davis), that none may marry her until after Kate has a husband—a near impossibility, for though Kate’s dowry is large, her temper is vicious. Fortunately, Hortensio’s friend Petruchio (Sal Crescitelli), is willing to put up with the “shrew” for the sake of the rich dowry.

Petruchio weds Kate and takes her away to his country house where he “tames” her—or does he? The clever Kate may look more submissive—which has made the play a target for feminist critics—but some claim that Kate has actually found a better means to be shrewish and get her way. Upon returning to Padua they discover that Lucentio has won the hand of Bianca. At a banquet a wager is made to discover who has the most obedient wife. Ironically, it turns out to be the formally feisty Kate, who delivers a lecture on wifely submission. But with Shakespeare, things are not always what they seem. As King sees it, the play’s theme is “Men and women are different but equal in their own way.”

The production features fine acting, especially on the part of Newhall and Brennan, who steal the show with their antagonistic antics, often performed in pantomime while observing the actions of others. Both women have prior stage experience. Hilarity also ensues in the charged fireworks between Newhall and Crescitelli.

All of the principals look stately and believable in the gorgeous period costumes by Teri Barbuti and Marlu Costumes. Rachel Keebler and Cobalt Studios designed the set, which was constructed by the Sullivan County Dramatic Workshop.

The play, which opened on August 24, is produced by Heinrich Stauch and the Liberty Community Development Corporation. It will be performed again on Friday, August 31 and Sunday, September 2 at 7:00 p.m. The final performance will take place on September 3 (Labor Day) at 2:00 p.m. The play is free.

Visit riverreporter.com for an album of photos from the production.