Taming shrews, misogynism in Noblesville

Shakespeare in the Park returns to Federal Hill Commons starting tonight

By STU CLAMPITT

Jennie Otterman is taking the misogynism out of Shakespeare in her directing of The Taming of the Shrew at Federal Hill Commons for two weeks, starting tonight.

Shakespeare in the Park is sponsored by the Noblesville Cultural Arts Commission (NCAC), and this is Otterman’s second foray into the world the Bard, the first being a one-night show during the 2020 pandemic.

Otterman told the Reporter she enjoys outdoor theater and has always loved this play, which would have been staged last year if not for COVID.

“This is what was supposed to go up last year, but because of COVID we had to adapt,” Otterman said. “It’s just always been one of my favorite shows. I don’t agree that it’s a misogynistic representation of women being underlings. I’ve directed it in such a way that it does not convey that message.”

Otterman was a little guarded when asked how she is taking the perception of misogynism out of this play, but was kind enough to offer a few clues for those interested in attending.

“I don’t want to give anything away,” Otterman said. “I have added some actions and some interpretations that show how I am analyzing it. My script analysis is Shakespeare did not mean for us to take Petruchio (the misogynistic main character) seriously because he is too hyperbolic. He is painted to be a comedic character. I think the play is more about the games in relationships and how we learn to play them with each other and how we learn to adapt them to ourselves and our particular relationship.”

Last year’s Shakespeare in the Park was a one-night-only performance that was conducted as a series of oral interpretations of the Bard’s work, allowing actors to maintain six to eight feet of social distance. This year, with the lifting of the restrictions for outdoor events, you can enjoy NCAC’s Shakespeare in the Park as it was meant to be.

According to Otterman, there are some challenges for outdoor theater, but she finds it worth the effort.

“There are several obstacles to outdoor theater,” Otterman said. “One is on that particular stage you can’t leave your set up so everything has to be struck every night at the end of the show. It is a load in and a load out every night you perform. That’s a lot of work for the people who deal with the scenery. You also can’t have very elaborate scenery because of that.”

In summer in Indiana, the weather is also always a factor.

“Last year we only performed one night rather than six nights because of COVID, and we happened to have a really good night of weather,” Otterman said. “It’s tantamount to going to Conner Prairie. It’s outside. You take a blanket or you take some chairs and if it’s a nice summer evening it’s quite enjoyable.”

The Taming of the Shrew will stage at Federal Hill Commons, 175 Logan St., Noblesville, at 8:30 p.m. on July 15-17 and July 22-24.

“It is a fun rollicking comedy that has a good message to it,” Otterman said. “It’s just fun to see everyone up there in their wonderful costumes.”