OKC Events: June 17, 2009

Journal Record, The (Oklahoma City), Jun 17, 2009 by Joan Gilmore

William Shakespeare would have been pleased with the production of The Taming of the Shrew created by the Reduxion Theatre Co. at the renovated theater at City Arts Center. Director Tyler Woods, founder of RTC with his wife, Erin, updated Shakespeare to the 1920s and did a delightful job of it.

This play endures, 400 years after its first performance, as the most popular of Shakespeare's comedies and often he is described as a sexist because of its theme of woman bowing to man's demands. It was so well done and so funny that this particular theme never occurred to me.

The cast was well-selected, with Holly McNatt as Kathrina, the strong-minded heroine who fought the demanding personality of her suitor, Petruchio, portrayed by Joshua Irick.

Dawn Deckman Moeller as Katrina's mother was impressive and Emily Ward, as Biana her younger daughter, were well-cast. I loved Cristela Carizales, who took the roles of Pedant, a "Good Fella" of "the Sopranos"; Nicholas, a servant at Petruchio's country estate; the tailor; and a wealthy widow (this was side-splitting funny). Ian Clinton also played several roles, as woman and as man.

The costuming was very 1920s, the scenery was scarce but effective, and accents were - well, mixed is the best description.

Shrew will play this Thursday, Friday and Saturday and June 25- 27, concluding Reduxion Theatre's season. Tickets are available by calling (405) 651-3191 and when you call, check on next season's schedule. You won't want to miss those productions.

Outdoor artists

The latest addition to the culture and entertainment available in Oklahoma City are the street performers who do outdoor programs to entertain Bricktown and other downtown audiences. If you're visiting downtown on weekend evenings, you'll run into these street performers, who present free musical entertainment, thanks to the sponsoring Arts Council of Oklahoma City.

On Friday from 7 until 9 p.m. in Bricktown, look for Katilee Thomason, who specializes in country/folk. On Saturday, from 5 until 7 p.m., you'll find Aaron Newman, acoustic rock, and Grayson Trice, blues music, outdoors at the Ford Center. Newman will be in Bricktown on June 26 and Brett Horton, folk/eclectic, will be in Bricktown on June 27.

Look and listen. They offer much to our city atmosphere.

The performers will be around in July, too, thanks to assistance of the Bricktown Association, Downtown Oklahoma City Inc., Oklahoma Arts Council, National Endowment for the Arts and Allied Arts.