Shakespeare in the Jungle

Zara as Bianca in "Taming of the Shrew"
Photos by Persephone Bolero

By Bolero News Services

AMAZON -- The Daughters of Mama Killa brought another theatrical performance to the jungle Sunday. Following on the footsteps of the group’s performance of Legend of Ollantay and Cusi, an Incan story of forbidden love, the group turned their talents to Shakespeare, with a stellar and uproarious performance of “Taming of the Shrew.”

Cento as Baptista

The play was the debut performance for Gaul Gaussman, whose charismatic stage presence makes him one to watch on the Amazon theater circuit.

Cento stretched his acting talents by taking on a dual role of Baptista and the priest who conducts the marriage between Petruchio, played by Saverio, and Katharina, who was played by Diana Fawcett.

Cento had stepped in at the last minute to fill the roles when the previous actor had to cancel. Sources who were not authorized to speak on the record said the original actor suffered a “tragic gnawing” by a rabid crocodile.

Diana Fawcett as Katharina

“With little time to research and rehearse the two parts, Cento managed to pull it off,” said Tony “the tooch” DiTucci, Cento’s agent.

Fawcett, who also wrote the script for the performance, drew many laughs from her part in the classic comedy, and Zara was absolutely lovely in her portrayal of Bianca, Katharina’s obedient sister. And Saverio’s handsome stage presence drew the eyes in his leading role of Petruchio.

Gaul Gaussman as Lucentio

As with their previous performance, June took the directing role for the “Taming of the Shrew,” and Gaussman commented that she was a highly competent director who kept things together throughout the performance.

Daughters of Mama Killa Director June

Saverio, left, as Petruchio

Eve Sinclair performed the music for the play

The full cast takes a bow.