Commedia! - Taming of the Shrew - American Conservatory Theater - 1976 PART 4

[@aylix2137]

I love this play because of this rendition, one of the most happy and simply humorous plays I have ever seen, I only wish I had been alive and present at the time.

[@craigallenheath]

I wish I'd seen it live, too. My first time was in a theatre class in college in 1981 - only 5 years after the stage production. It turned me on to Shakespeare and theatre in general, but Commedia in particular. Glad you liked it, and thanks for visiting!

[@Benggerzen]

same though! i watched it in my 10th grade english class, @@craigallenheath

[@elviragarza6261]

Watching this for a theatre appreciation class and this is by far the best scene in this whole play, the back and forth along with it becoming a wrestling match puts them both in the same level and is so much fun to watch.

[@craigallenheath]

I agree - they are equals in wit via the dialog, and the director made them equal physically with the wrestling. Perfect combination. Thanks for watching!

[@avawladar4223]

Absolutely love this scene !!! the physical humor is hilarious and really puts them on the same level as each other :) always loved that about this version thanks for uploading !!

[@craigallenheath]

Completely agree! It's a wrestling match in words put to physical action. And they are equally matched!

[@englerrose]

Love this part of the play, what a scamp he is.

[@craigallenheath]

Yes, and I love the physicality they used - a wrestling match. :) Brilliant staging and they nailed it! Thanks for watching!

[@englerrose]

Your welcome

[@chrisjohnston4445]

My parents carted me off to see this performed at Claremont College when I was 13. Didn't understand a word being said, but I sure had fun! My parents talked a LOT about Marc Singer's codpiece afterwards!

[@craigallenheath]

Thanks for the note - I didn't know they toured the show beyond ACT. The codpiece? We're STILL talking about it :)

[@chrisjohnston4445]

@@craigallenheath Reminds me of a line from the show _Better Off Ted_ : "Medieval Fight Club twice in one week? Man, my codpiece just got tighter."

[@mirtikaschultz3282]

I remember watching this in the AV room in high school, and the girls admiring Marc Singer's torso. :) Wow, that was around 1977!

[@craigallenheath]

He was really in his prime for this, athletic and acrobatic, not "buff" for its own sake. He bulked up later for "Beastmaster", and throbbed some more hearts. But he's had a long and successful career in varied parts, and is still making waves. Thanks for watching and commenting! :)

[@MarcoGrabolos]

What a splendid rendition!

[@craigallenheath]

I love it too - thanks for watching!

[@djvinylgoblin]

What a wonderful play! Enjoyed it a lot! Petruchio is also cute as well. XD

[@craigallenheath]

Glad you enjoyed it and thanks for watching!

[@kamion53]

If he was any hotter he would burn down the theater.

[@djvinylgoblin]

@@kamion53 He sure would! I wish I was that woman acting in the play LoL.

[@innos3ntCrim3]

He is the perfect Pertruchio. 😍

[@craigallenheath]

I think so too. And she's the best Kate I've seen. But maybe I'm prejudiced. ;) Thanks for watching, and so glad you liked it! :)

[@englerrose]

Interesting thing I learn about Marc Singer he was in the tv serise call V, I thought I recognize him.

[@craigallenheath]

He actually has done quite a lot, and is still working, with a major part in the current TV Series "Beauty and the Beast". Check out his filmography: www.imdb.com/name/nm0001743/

[@englerrose]

cool

[@chrisjohnston4445]

Who can forget that he was... _The Beastmaster_ ?

[@kamion53]

@@chrisjohnston4445 Beastmaster was great camp, pitty there were two follow -ups being very bad.

[@Sten111]

I know Singer was renowned for his splendid physique but does this shirtless version add to the play or his career ?

[@craigallenheath]

I'm gonna say both. The Commedia style was brash and bold and bawdy. Remember that this production was 1976. Audiences had seen Hair and Oh! Calcutta by this time. So this brought a very contemporary naughtiness to the production itself, but also put him forward as a potential beefcake. This led to his Beastmaster series. But, perhaps unfortunately, it locked him into that type and made it difficult for him to branch out as an actor. So it both helped and hindered his career, IMHO.

[@Sten111]

@@craigallenheath Quite. Unfortunately Singer got cornered into roles exploiting his physicality rather than acting abilities after this.

[@Gobear1]

Marc Singer's gleaming torso was an awakenng for many a gay boy in the 70s.