Lead characters Kate (Daniela Santiago, right) and Petruchio (Mary Ruth Ralston, they/them, left) in Tavern’s “Taming of the Shrew.” (All photos by Jeff Watkins)
It’s a terrific spin to have an all-female cast tackle the Bard’s best, funniest battle of the sexes: The Taming of the Shrew, running through September 28 at the Shakespeare Tavern.
Tiffany Porter as the bearded Baptista Minola.
Instead of using the misogyny and abuse baked into the plot for easy laughs at a character’s expense, this production leans into the love at the heart of the story. The lead characters, Kate (Daniela Santiago) and Petruchio (Mary Ruth Ralston, they/them) spar because they’re evenly matched. There isn’t seething hatred between these two, just crackling chemistry — and excellent fight choreography from Kristin Storla.
When a cast and crew of women tackle a wacky story about spousal obedience, there is surprising heart and cleverness that is uncovered in the material. When their relationship allows the crass Petruchio and the combative Kate to realize they can safely be their flawed selves without driving someone away, they both choose to honor it. No one submits. Instead, they build respect for their partnership.
Director Rachel Frawley has a strong grasp of the material, leading to the richness of this interpretation, and she knows the pace it needs. A framing narrative bookends the familiar story, cleverly allowing Ralston and Santiago to begin by playing characters whose power dynamic is vastly different from the roles they occupy in the central love story.
Suitors clamoring for the hand of Bianca (Gabrielle Story), the youngest daughter of the rich Baptista Minola (Tiffany Porter), must contend with his desire to see his older daughter, Kate, married first. But Kate is difficult, finding at least 10 things she hates about everyone.
Mary Ruth Ralston in wedding attire.
Enter the brazen Petruchio, whom the suitors urge to woo Kate and get her out of the way.
As Kate, Santiago is marvelous, full of fire and energy. It’s an incredible physical performance, as well, for there is much fight in this character. Her final monologue is a highlight.
Ralston is full of swagger and silliness as Petruchio, playing up his arrogance and posturing to terrific comedic effect. The wedding scene — wherein Ralston dons an over-the-top costume designed by Anne Carole Butler and Amy Wachtel — is hilarious. Ralston is clearly having fun.
The entire supporting cast is great.
As Bianca and Lucentio, the secondary lovers, Story and Tyra Watkins have a spicy and fun chemistry. Intimacy choreographer Patty de la Garza deserves credit for terrific work here, including a rather creative moment involving a door.
But the standout performer of the show is Porter, who crafts a comic masterpiece in her portrayals of Baptista and a tailor. Porter affects an accent and manner of Baptista that seems imported straight out of New Jersey. She punctuates the iambic pentameter with ballsy “Eh” and “Oh” exclamations. In one scene as the tailor, she builds an entirely different character, still full of specificity and detail. It’s inspired work.
The production is quite good. Go enjoy it.
Where & When
The Taming of the Shrew is at Shakespeare Tavern through September 28. Tickets start at $30 and depend on seating.
499 Peachtree St. NE.
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Benjamin Carr is an ArtsATL editor-at-large who has contributed to the publication since 2019 and is a member of the American Theatre Critics Association, the Dramatists Guild, the Atlanta Press Club and the Horror Writers Association. His writing has been featured in podcasts for iHeartMedia, onstage as part of the Samuel French Off-Off Broadway Short Play Festival and online in The Guardian. His debut novel, Impacted, was published by The Story Plant.
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