The
Taming of the Shrew
What the Critics Said:
"Corny, irreverent and a virtual
round-up of references to every cowboy movie and TV
show under the Western sun, Dunn's 'Shrew' is something of a Bay Area theatrical landmark...genial,
engaging and very funny...Kate and Petruchio are very
well matched. Paul Sulzman's Petruchio is every inch
an unapologetic fortune hunter, a Clint Eastwood style
(in manner and dress) frontier mercenary accompanied
by grungy, leader-and-bandoleer-clad henchman-servant
Grumio (Jonathan Gonzalez as a very funny cross between
Eli Wallach in ‘The Good, the Bad' and Alfonso Bedoya
in ‘The Treasure of the Sierra Madre')...Marcia Pizzo's
lanky tomboy Kate is a force of nature, rough, combative,
swaggering in her boots...solid, inventive performances
of a number of players – Jarion Monroe's wry, hard-drinking
Sheriff Baptista, Ian Swift's remarkably crusty old
Gremio, Stephen Dietz's hilariously sleepy drunk –
keeps his 'Shrew' rolling pleasantly, often
hilariously on into to the sunset."
Robert Hurwitt, San Francisco Chronicle
"The Wild West circus that is James Dunn's sagebrush
framed 'The Taming of the Shrew' is paying
a visit to Forest Meadows Amphitheatre for the next
few weeks and if exuberant physical comedy fits your
taste, you won't want to miss it...I'm happy to report
that the old gal looks mighty handsome in her dotage,
having lost none of the originality, satirical wit,
and crowd-pleasing energy that endeared her to previous
fans. In fact, I would go so far as to call this cowboy
parody one of the most successful 'concept' adaptations
(and there have been many) of Shakespeare that I have
ever seen...there isn't a weakness in what is an extremely
ingratiating cast."
Charles Brousse, Marin Independent Journal
"Living up to a legend is hard...Yet
Director James Dunn, who has shepherded his production
throughout this country and abroad, isn't afraid of
competing – even with himself. And on a warm August
night in Forest Meadows, Dunn and Shakespeare and
a fine ensemble of actors..make it all shine once again."
Lee Brady, Pacific Sun
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