Herald & Review (Decatur, IL)
October 3, 1992
Section: Life
Page: B3
Spirit cast doesn’t let ‘Kate’ down
Review
Theresa Churchill
Strong singing, beautiful costuming make up for first-night glitches.
Many people stumble on Shakespeare’s unfamiliar prose before they can appreciate his wit.
Millikin University’s production of “Kiss Me Kate,” a musical loosely based on “Taming of the Shrew,” livens everything up with spirited music,
understandable lyrics and contemporary comedy.
With bustling tunes by Cole Porter, authors Bella and Samuel Spewack do this by creating a 1950s troupe of actors staging a musical version of
Shakespeare’s classic farce.
Hence, they add another level of humor by having the players experience 20th century parallels to the play’s 16th century plot.
LEAD CHARACTERS Lilli Vanessi and Fred Graham, for example, are a warring divorced couple cast as the tempestuous Katharine and her shrew-taming suitor, Petruchio.
Supporting players and lovers Lois Lane (who has caught Fred’s eye) and Bill Calhoun, meanwhile, portray the sought-after Bianca and her beau, Lucentio.
Curtain timing was off for Friday’s opening, sending set-changers scurrying for cover at one point and revealing a sleeping character’s “sudden
awakening” at another. Missed cues for the body microphones became an even more annoying problem, alternately amplifying ordinary dialogue and losing some of the lyrics.
But the comedic timing that really counts on a show like this stays right on the mark. And most of the singing is superb.
Outstanding on both counts is junior Dawn Doverspike of South Bend, Ind., as the show’s ill-tempered shrew. Her voice shifts musically from shrill anger to soaring love as her prickly behavior dares someone to tame her.
She meets her match in junior Brendan McNab of Gurnee. Although his singing voice seems to stay in the back of his throat, he proves to be a formidable and hilarious ex-husband/suitor.
THE FUNNIEST bits, however, are those of two gangsters who appear backstage to pressure Fred about a gambling debt and wind up onstage in elaborate Elizabethan garb to keep his ex-wife and meal ticket from storming out of the theater.
Playing the heavies while bumbling through Shakespeare, seniors Jason Woodruff and Salvatore Ingurgio are simply a scream.
Other highlights include the musical direction on such well-known numbers as “So in Love,” “Wunderbar,” and “Always True to You Darling in My
Fashion.” The 20-piece orchestra moves nimbly from one style of music to the next and provides an entertaining diversion during set changes.
The costumes, too, delight the senses, offering an array of colors and textures such as red velvet, turquoise taffeta and nubby earth tones.
The best part, however, is that you won’t have any trouble getting the jokes.
This production of “Kiss Me Kate” guarantees that Shakespeare will leave you laughing.
Kiss Me Kate
Principal characters
Lille Canessi/ Katherine ...Dawn Doverspike
Fred Graham/ Petruchio .....Brendon McNab
Lois Lane/ Blanca ..........Kelli Shrewsbury
Bill Calhoun/ Lucentio .....Joe Machota
Gangster 1 .................Jason Woodruff
Gangster 2..................Salvatore Ingurgio
Harry Trevor/ Baptista .....Eric Mahlum
Harrison Howell ............Sean Thomas
Crew
Director ...................Stephen Fiot
Musical Director............Maria Klott
Choreographers..............Darlene Wittenauer and Lynne Snyder
Set designer................Eileen Smith
Costumes....................Mary Spencer
Lighting....................Christopher Morris
Stage manager...............Debra Zinkiewicz
Presented by the Millikin University Theatre Department in Kirkland Fine Arts Center. Running time: 2 hours 15 minutes. Remaining performances are 8 p.m. today and 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 4. Tickets are $5 for adults and $4 for students and senior citizens at the Kirkland box office (424-6318).
October 3, 1992
Section: Life
Page: B3
Spirit cast doesn’t let ‘Kate’ down
Review
Theresa Churchill
Strong singing, beautiful costuming make up for first-night glitches.
Many people stumble on Shakespeare’s unfamiliar prose before they can appreciate his wit.
Millikin University’s production of “Kiss Me Kate,” a musical loosely based on “Taming of the Shrew,” livens everything up with spirited music,
understandable lyrics and contemporary comedy.
With bustling tunes by Cole Porter, authors Bella and Samuel Spewack do this by creating a 1950s troupe of actors staging a musical version of
Shakespeare’s classic farce.
Hence, they add another level of humor by having the players experience 20th century parallels to the play’s 16th century plot.
LEAD CHARACTERS Lilli Vanessi and Fred Graham, for example, are a warring divorced couple cast as the tempestuous Katharine and her shrew-taming suitor, Petruchio.
Supporting players and lovers Lois Lane (who has caught Fred’s eye) and Bill Calhoun, meanwhile, portray the sought-after Bianca and her beau, Lucentio.
Curtain timing was off for Friday’s opening, sending set-changers scurrying for cover at one point and revealing a sleeping character’s “sudden
awakening” at another. Missed cues for the body microphones became an even more annoying problem, alternately amplifying ordinary dialogue and losing some of the lyrics.
But the comedic timing that really counts on a show like this stays right on the mark. And most of the singing is superb.
Outstanding on both counts is junior Dawn Doverspike of South Bend, Ind., as the show’s ill-tempered shrew. Her voice shifts musically from shrill anger to soaring love as her prickly behavior dares someone to tame her.
She meets her match in junior Brendan McNab of Gurnee. Although his singing voice seems to stay in the back of his throat, he proves to be a formidable and hilarious ex-husband/suitor.
THE FUNNIEST bits, however, are those of two gangsters who appear backstage to pressure Fred about a gambling debt and wind up onstage in elaborate Elizabethan garb to keep his ex-wife and meal ticket from storming out of the theater.
Playing the heavies while bumbling through Shakespeare, seniors Jason Woodruff and Salvatore Ingurgio are simply a scream.
Other highlights include the musical direction on such well-known numbers as “So in Love,” “Wunderbar,” and “Always True to You Darling in My
Fashion.” The 20-piece orchestra moves nimbly from one style of music to the next and provides an entertaining diversion during set changes.
The costumes, too, delight the senses, offering an array of colors and textures such as red velvet, turquoise taffeta and nubby earth tones.
The best part, however, is that you won’t have any trouble getting the jokes.
This production of “Kiss Me Kate” guarantees that Shakespeare will leave you laughing.
Kiss Me Kate
Principal characters
Lille Canessi/ Katherine ...Dawn Doverspike
Fred Graham/ Petruchio .....Brendon McNab
Lois Lane/ Blanca ..........Kelli Shrewsbury
Bill Calhoun/ Lucentio .....Joe Machota
Gangster 1 .................Jason Woodruff
Gangster 2..................Salvatore Ingurgio
Harry Trevor/ Baptista .....Eric Mahlum
Harrison Howell ............Sean Thomas
Crew
Director ...................Stephen Fiot
Musical Director............Maria Klott
Choreographers..............Darlene Wittenauer and Lynne Snyder
Set designer................Eileen Smith
Costumes....................Mary Spencer
Lighting....................Christopher Morris
Stage manager...............Debra Zinkiewicz
Presented by the Millikin University Theatre Department in Kirkland Fine Arts Center. Running time: 2 hours 15 minutes. Remaining performances are 8 p.m. today and 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 4. Tickets are $5 for adults and $4 for students and senior citizens at the Kirkland box office (424-6318).
Copyright, 1992, Herald & Review, Decatur, IL