‘Shrew’ Is Anything but Tame

Covered with a filthy blanket and pushing a loaded shopping cart, one of Los Angeles’ homeless makes his way across the plaza of the Pacific Design Center. He reaches a circular area where onlookers sit on concrete steps, lies down and falls asleep.

The California Youth Theatre’s exuberant “contemporary” version of Shakespeare’s bawdy comedy “The Taming of the Shrew” has begun with the rarely performed prologue in which drunkard Christopher Sly is entertained, at a rich man’s whim, by a troupe of actors.

It’s part of the 1988 California Youth Theatre Festival--a variety of song, dance and theater programs presented by young people--and it’s a hoot. Adapted by Corky Dominguez, Cariline Davis-Dyer (the two co-directed) and Jane Moxey, this is Shakespeare full of modern street attitudes and gestures, non-traditional ethnicities, color, comic visual and sound effects and a young cast bursting with vigor.

Despite some modern slang and trimming--and heavy traffic noise from the surrounding streets outside--Shakespeare remains intact. When lines aren’t rushed, the words sound natural and alive.

If there are no erotic sparks between Zac Hughes as Petruchio and Crystal Justine as Kate, the youthful lustiness of the production is a good substitute. Their rough and tumble horseplay, well-choreographed by Dominguez, is unstinting.

Especially quirky are Melvin Butel as Sly, Kimber Kelley as Bianca, Greg Bryan’s Gremio, Adam Coleite as Hortensio and Nick O’Donnell’s Grumio.

Music by Chad Stuart--rock, calypso and rap--is a plus, although one number seems rather close to a Bobby McFerrin song.

Crescent Singer did the wacky costumes; Beverly St. Hilaire designed the minimal set and Michael St. Hilaire the lights.

Rough-edged and unseasoned as it all is, the company’s enjoyment of Shakespeare is beguiling.

At Melrose Avenue and San Vicente Boulevard in West Hollywood, 6:30 p.m. tonight and Sunday only. Tickets: $6.50. (213) 657-3270.