Plays by Shakespeare can suffer when modernized (translating Julius Caesar into a contemporary politician, for instance). But the only suffering during Cincinnati Shakespeare’s production of The Taming of the Shrew will be your sides from continuous laughter.
Director Matt Johnson has set the battle of the sexes in a “mythical Hollywood studio” of the 1930s. What often goes wrong with adaptations is that they’re not fully applied, but Johnson’s update works flawlessly and completely, adding layers of humor for theatergoers who might not routinely warm to a play by Shakespeare.
Through Jan. 3. $20-$26. Read Rick Pender’s full review, and get showtimes and tickets here.
This article appears in Nov 25 – Dec 1, 2009.
