Del Shakespeare's 'Taming' sidesteps the controversy with good cheer

WILMINGTON - Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew has engendered much controversy for its alleged abusiveness, misogyny, and insistence on patriarchally enforced gender roles in marriage.

But there's no disputing the success and merriment of the Delaware Shakespeare Festival's current presentation, which sidesteps land mines by treating this production with the same mirth and gaiety the fest has shown in comedies over the last 13 seasons.

Director Samantha Bellomo achieves much of this triumph simply by casting Charlie DelMarcelle as the rogue Petruchio, who seeks his fortune in marriage to the cursed, churlish Katharina (Felicia Leicht). Katharina has chased away all previous suitors, and her father (Michael Gamache) will not marry off her pleasanter sister Bianca (Tabitha Allen) until Katharina has found a husband.

What follows is the "taming," Petruchio's attempts to bully Katharina into a more agreeable, even submissive role. DelMarcelle has earned plaudits lately in a number of Shakespearean roles (Macbeth, Falstaff), and here, his Petruchio blends a casual affability with sinister intent. Like a king, he rules without imposing, his charm turning commands into seeming requests, and his ease in every situation evokes laughter from what might otherwise horrify.

Not that Leicht goes easy into the wedded night. She delivers a fiery yet sympathetic performance. Even at her most disagreeable, she conveys an understanding of her character's motives.

The excellent ensemble fleshes out the secondary plot, as a host of suitors tries various subterfuges to win Bianca. Led by the clever pair of Lucentio (Kevin Hoffman) and his servant Tranio (Ife Foy), the cast entertains with subtle, family-friendly comedy. Rather than relying on gimmicks or slapstick, they bear out Shakespeare's reputation as one of the best comic writers in English. Bellomo has couples and rival lovers square off in Dylan Jamison's round setting, equal parts gazebo and boxing ring, trading insults and threats with wit and verve.

I saw the Del Shakes production on Sunday, probably the hottest day of the year so far, and my only complaint was that Bellomo cut too much of the text to shorten the evening to 21/4 hours. But there's little controversy in that.

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The Taming of the Shrew

Presented by the Delaware Shakespeare Festival through Aug. 2 at Rockwood Park, 4651 Washington St. Extension, Wilmington.

Tickets: $17-$35.

Information: 302-415-3373 or www.delshakes.org.

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