Respectable Revamps

Ventura County has a spate of Shakespeare updatings right now, two of which opened last weekend.

One is a production of “West Side Story,” a musical that brought “Romeo and Juliet” into 1950s New York, now yanked by a Simi Valley troupe into 21st century New York.

In Thousand Oaks, meanwhile, they’re turning “The Taming of the Shrew” into something resembling a low-budget western movie, where all the people talk Elizabethan. (That group, operating as the Kingsmen Shakespeare Festival, is also presenting “Romeo and Juliet” set in 19th century Ireland.)

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Everybody knows “West Side Story,” here gussied up by having the Sharks and Jets wear tattoos and vaguely current street clothes. So far, no problems: Arthur Laurents’ idiomatic dialogue wasn’t all that contemporary in the ‘50s and sounds no more or less so here. And the performances are fine, by actors including Ryan Mills as Tony and Brandee Berendt as Maria (with strong singing), Catrina Quintanilla as Anita (with lots of personality), Robert Dantona as Riff and Raul Lopez as Bernardo.

Among the supporting performers, Aurick Canete is a scene-stealer as Action; and Ron Rosen is convincing as Officer Krupke and amusing as Glad Hand, hosting the dance at the gym.

But would a pharmacist wear a large tattoo on his arm, as Karl Mikelson does here? (Director Jan Glasband also furnishes him with the girlfriend Laurents forgot to include). Would Lt. Schrank wear a muscle shirt and shades on the job? And why is the stage at times seemingly awash with tiny tots?--another Glasband addition. Is anything of value added here? The answer, in one case, is a resounding “Yes,” but only in the musical’s last moment.

Well, there’s plenty else to enjoy: the energy, the songs and Dani Brown’s choreography among them.

Reviewing the touring professional “West Side Story” seen recently at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, I called it the best production of the show you’re likely to see. This Simi Valley production is the best you’re likely to see in a smallish local auditorium for $15. This year.

DETAILS

“West Side Story” continues Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. through Aug. 12 at the Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center, 3050 Los Angeles Ave. Tickets are $15; $12 students and seniors; and $10 ages 12 and under. The producers caution that the show is not suitable for children under 10. For reservations or further information, call 581-9940.

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As those who have seen the recent film “Ten Things I Hate About You” know, “The Taming of the Shrew” revolves around the gentleman Baptista’s refusal to allow his younger and much-coveted daughter, Bianca, to marry until her older sister, the rambunctious Kate, can find and settle down with a man who isn’t threatened by her. And Kate’s in no mind to get married.

Bringing “The Taming of the Shrew” into the Old West while retaining Shakespeare’s language is pointless except as a diversion--and maybe to illustrate how much “Annie Get Your Gun” owes to the play.

But Friday night, the diversion worked very well, with Kingsmen co-artistic director Lane Davies a dashing Petruchio, and the sight of Ruth Cordell’s spunky Kate, swaggering onstage armed with a bullwhip (and not afraid to use it), almost justifying the concept in its own right.

Director Allan Hunt goes for--and earns--maximum laughs in what was a comedy to begin with, the supporting characters working well reincarnated as crusty cowboy coots of various ages, dancing girls and prosperous frontier businessmen.

Most of the principal actors in this large cast are professionals. Skye Myers, who plays the prominent supporting role of Bianca, acquits herself well among them. Mark Blankfield has a major comic turn as the servant Tranio; Brett Elliott, Robert Nairn and Kevin Kern vie for Bianca’s hand as Lucentio, Gremio and Hortensio; and David Himes is strong as the father, Baptista.

Don Llewellyn’s lighthearted set design is just right, and Rick Rhodes supplied the background music, some of it original, some familiar. Amplification ensures that the dialogue can be heard in the upper reaches of the audience, which isn’t all that far from the stage, in any case.

DETAILS

“The Taming of the Shrew” resumes July 28 and continues Fridays through Sundays at 8 p.m. through Aug. 6 at Kingsmen Park on the Cal Lutheran campus. “Romeo and Juliet,” previously favorably reviewed in these pages, concludes this weekend with performances Friday through Sunday at 8 p.m.

The park opens for both shows at 5:30 p.m., with food for sale and Renaissance-style entertainment before the play. You are invited to take your own food and drink, although alcohol is prohibited. Seating is free on the lawn (warm clothing, ground cover and low-profile folding chairs are recommended); a limited number of uncomfortable plastic chairs near the stage are available for $10. The shows run more than 2 1/2 hours each; consider this if contemplating taking young children. Free parking is available on campus lots. For further information, call 493-3455.

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Todd Everett can be reached at teverett@concentric.net.