If the 'shrew' fits By MICHAEL SMITH World Scene Writer 2/28/2005 William Shakespeare has a reputation -- a bad reputation. Misguided though it may be, Clark Youth Theater director Frank Gallagher goes so far as to call it a "forbidding reputation" for young people when it comes to interpreting the Bard's words and verse. "There's the thought that 'Hey, we can't understand what it's saying,' or that it's so old and difficult that it's not worthwhile," said Gallagher, who helms Clark's production of "The Taming of the Shrew" that opens this week with a cast of teenage thespians. "But anyone who knows anything about theater knows that Shakespeare is the best. The works are accessible. He wrote for a popular audience. Yes, the language is a bit archaic for us; it's 400 years old." But that's not a barrier for Clark's actors in seeing the play's vitality, Gallagher said. "We spend time just sitting around reading the text, constantly stopping and rephrasing the words into something more contemporary, and that gives us a jump-start," he said. "Then the details come alive in rehearsals. In the process of going through it, it becomes much more than poetry."

Rebecca Blackmore and Max Stewart perform a scene from Clark Youth Theater’s production of William Shakespeare’s “The Taming of the Shrew.” JAMES GIBBARD / Tulsa World

The goal for the "Taming of the Shrew" cast of 16 -- ages range from 13-17 -- is to understand the characters' emotions, what's at stake for them, what they're fighting for. Once that happens, the language proves to be little hindrance.

"They do learn to love it," Gallagher said. "We end up having more people audition for the Shakespeare plays than for any others."

Producing a Shakespeare play has become an annual event for Clark Youth Theater, and with each show there seems to be a contemporary rendition that these young players are familiar with.

"Yes, all these kids know that (the Julia Stiles-Heath Ledger film) '10 Things I Hate About You' is based on 'The Taming of the Shrew,' " Gallagher said.

For those who need a refresher on the original, "The Taming of the Shrew" is one of Shakespeare's earliest comedies, set in Padua, a city in northern Italy, where a rich merchant resides with his two daughters.

Bianca, known far and wide for her beauty and grace, has many suitors. Her elder sister, Katharina, known far and wider for her ill temper and wicked tongue, has no suitors. And she plans to keep it that way.

But therein lies the rub. Father will not allow Bianca to marry until Katharina is first wedded off. Prospects don't seem promising, but there is a large dowry of land and money for any future spouse of Katharina.

It's a gamble that Petruchio can't pass up. While everyone warns this wealthy gentleman from Verona of the wildcat awaiting him, he's amused and vows to win the day, and the girl, by taming this shrew.

As with Shakespeare's other early comedies, including "Much Ado About Nothing" and "A Midsummer Night's Dream," the focus is on marriage and shared characteristics including light-hearted humor, disguises, deception and an ending that is happy for almost everyone.

The cast includes Becca Blackmore, Max Lawson, Megan Moylan, Tim Slavin, Catie Parker, Max Stewart, Emilee Kyle, Rebecca Sparks, Jarrett Miller, Sean McGee, Meggen Hayhurst, Jerib Kaiser, Clayton Bradshaw, Olivia Pacheco, Taylor Casillas and Bryce Gangel. The set is designed by Devin Meadows and Genie Reiman is the costume designer.

The Clark Youth Theater production of "The Taming of the Shrew" is set for 7:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday and 7:30 p.m. March 11-12. Clark is located at 11440 E. Admiral Place, and tickets may be reserved by calling 669-6455.