Not much ado about 'Shrew'

Shakespeare's "The Taming of the Shrew" is a keeper. It's quick-witted and engaging, with memorable characters and themes that withstand plague, revolutions, industrialism and smog.

David M. Jenkins adapted and directed Jobsite Theater's version of this comedy classic, now running through Aug. 14 at the David A. Straz Jr. Center for the Performing Arts. True to many Shakespearean plays, this production worked well in a contemporary setting. The spare, scaffold-like set design, which left the actors visible aft stage at their dressing room, suggested the original 16th century Globe Theatre - a working actor's playground.

While visually appealing with several enjoyable elements, the show had too many uneven parts to make for a stellar whole.

Good: Katrina Stevenson was a good little shrew. As red-haired Kate, she was snarky and smart, snotty and bitchy, yet with an underlying vulnerability that made her more likeable than the character's reputation would suggest. Her dignity and poise balanced Kate's anti-feminist monologue urging wives to honor and obey their spouses. Her performance proved Jenkins' point of equality between the sexes.

Bad: In contrast, enter Hortensio, played by Spencer Meyers. Whose idea was it to keep Meyers' arms raised like a teller during a bank robbery? (Please don't shoot, mister.) It was distracting and actually looked painful after a while. This inexplicable pose certainly added to the foppish interpretation of Bianca's (Katie Castonguay) suitor, but too much of a good thing is not a good thing. Also, Meyers' flamboyance grew exponentially, to annoying effect.

Good: Sometimes the best moments in theater come out of improvisation, and that was certainly the case here. In the final act, with not enough actors to go around, a puppet was called in to fill one role. Meyers took over another to give Jason Vaughn Evans his due as Gremio. A screen above the stage that had been used to announce act and scene changes showed explanatory text this time, advising the audience to "just go with it." Now that's funny stuff.

Bad: At various times, it was hard to understand what the actors were saying. Either they spoke their lines too quickly, perhaps in an attempt to express comfort with the language, or talked with their backs to the audience, muffling the words. Shakespeare can be hard enough to follow without these pitfalls.

Good: This production conveyed an everyman's humor and a sound understanding of the playwright's intent.

Yin and yang may not have met in this Jobsite effort, but at least one should be enough to encourage theatergoers to give this puppy a fair shake.

THE TAMING OF THE SHREW

When: Through Aug. 14; 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, 4 p.m. Sunday

Where: David A. Straz Jr. Center for the Performing Arts, Shimberg Playhouse, 1010 N. MacInnes Place, Tampa; call (813) 222-1001 or visit www.strazcenter.org

Tickets: $24.50

Running time: 110 minutes