Bakersfield Californian
Camille Gavin: Mountain Shakespeare Fest on the rise
by CAMILLE GAVIN, contributing columnist
e-mail: gavinarts@aol.com | Wednesday, Jun 25 2008 10:42 AM
Last Updated: Wednesday, Jun 25 2008 10:42 AM
Some local residents may be surprised to learn, as I was, that a budding Shakespeare festival awaits them at the top of the Grapevine and that it’s now in its
third season. A few years ago I wrote a few lines about live theater performances in the Frazier Park area but had no idea it’s grown into what is now called the
Mountain Shakespeare Festival.
True, the festival is still in its formative stages, with performances on weekends only from July 5 to 27, outdoors at Pine Mountain Club.
Even so, Peter Kjenaas, the artistic director, thinks it has the potential to become an attraction equal to that of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival in Ashland,
Ore., which draws people from all over the country during its 10-month season. The director is no stranger to Ashland, having spent three seasons there
playing lead roles. He’s also got solid professional credits, with memberships in the Dramatists Guild, Screen Actors Guild, and Actors Equity Association.
Kjenaas believes Frazier Park itself could well be the biggest draw for a festival, given the beauty of its natural environment and its location, only an hour’s
drive from either Bakersfield or the northernmost communities of Los Angeles.
“We’re trying to get folks to see it as a great weekend getaway, a place where the whole family can have fun and breathe clean air,” said Kjenaas, who has
lived in the area for the past eight years. He and his wife, actress-teacher Michelle Morain, are the parents of two children.
“We had been living this theatrical lifestyle — 15 days here, 15 days there — and we realized we couldn’t do that anymore,” he said. “So we moved here in
2000, then we adopted twins from Bolivia, a boy and a girl.”
Many of those in the festival’s company live in the mountain community, including a number of Frazier Park High School students. As for the more experienced
actors, several involved in this summer’s productions — “Comedy of Errors” and “You Can’t Take it With You” on alternating weekends — will be familiar to
Bakersfield theatergoers.
One is Bob Kempf, who is directing “Comedy of Errors.” He has been involved with Bakersfield College’s Kern Shakespeare Festival and has acted in and
directed productions at other local venues.
Among the actors appearing are Roger Mathey, former manager of Spotlight Theatre; Don McClure, who played the lead role in BC’s “Hamlet”; and Joe
Mitchell, who was in the cast of “You Can’t Take it With You.” That show, written by George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart, just finished a three-week run at
Spotlight, and was directed by Kempf. Kjenaas, however, will direct the Mountain Shakespeare Festival’s production of the play, which opens July 11.
Coupling an Elizabethan play with a 20th century comedy may seem a bit odd. But, says Kjenaas, they are linked by a common thread.
“They are both about the uniting of very different worlds and the coming together of different walks of life,” he said.
Both, he added, have enjoyed a rich and successful production history.
Performances are on a thrust stage that has been added to the gazebo at Pine Mountain Club. Chair seating is provided.
Camille Gavin: Mountain Shakespeare Fest on the rise
by CAMILLE GAVIN, contributing columnist
e-mail: gavinarts@aol.com | Wednesday, Jun 25 2008 10:42 AM
Last Updated: Wednesday, Jun 25 2008 10:42 AM
Some local residents may be surprised to learn, as I was, that a budding Shakespeare festival awaits them at the top of the Grapevine and that it’s now in its
third season. A few years ago I wrote a few lines about live theater performances in the Frazier Park area but had no idea it’s grown into what is now called the
Mountain Shakespeare Festival.
True, the festival is still in its formative stages, with performances on weekends only from July 5 to 27, outdoors at Pine Mountain Club.
Even so, Peter Kjenaas, the artistic director, thinks it has the potential to become an attraction equal to that of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival in Ashland,
Ore., which draws people from all over the country during its 10-month season. The director is no stranger to Ashland, having spent three seasons there
playing lead roles. He’s also got solid professional credits, with memberships in the Dramatists Guild, Screen Actors Guild, and Actors Equity Association.
Kjenaas believes Frazier Park itself could well be the biggest draw for a festival, given the beauty of its natural environment and its location, only an hour’s
drive from either Bakersfield or the northernmost communities of Los Angeles.
“We’re trying to get folks to see it as a great weekend getaway, a place where the whole family can have fun and breathe clean air,” said Kjenaas, who has
lived in the area for the past eight years. He and his wife, actress-teacher Michelle Morain, are the parents of two children.
“We had been living this theatrical lifestyle — 15 days here, 15 days there — and we realized we couldn’t do that anymore,” he said. “So we moved here in
2000, then we adopted twins from Bolivia, a boy and a girl.”
Many of those in the festival’s company live in the mountain community, including a number of Frazier Park High School students. As for the more experienced
actors, several involved in this summer’s productions — “Comedy of Errors” and “You Can’t Take it With You” on alternating weekends — will be familiar to
Bakersfield theatergoers.
One is Bob Kempf, who is directing “Comedy of Errors.” He has been involved with Bakersfield College’s Kern Shakespeare Festival and has acted in and
directed productions at other local venues.
Among the actors appearing are Roger Mathey, former manager of Spotlight Theatre; Don McClure, who played the lead role in BC’s “Hamlet”; and Joe
Mitchell, who was in the cast of “You Can’t Take it With You.” That show, written by George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart, just finished a three-week run at
Spotlight, and was directed by Kempf. Kjenaas, however, will direct the Mountain Shakespeare Festival’s production of the play, which opens July 11.
Coupling an Elizabethan play with a 20th century comedy may seem a bit odd. But, says Kjenaas, they are linked by a common thread.
“They are both about the uniting of very different worlds and the coming together of different walks of life,” he said.
Both, he added, have enjoyed a rich and successful production history.
Performances are on a thrust stage that has been added to the gazebo at Pine Mountain Club. Chair seating is provided.
In Yonder Mountains
Written by AMY LYONS for the North Valley Community News
It's summertime and that means many theatres in the San Fernando Valley are dark, saving the next round of curtain hoisting for the fall. But all is not lost for
North Valley audiences hungry for quality summer stock fare. Nestled in the mountainous region of Frazier Park, a one hour drive up the 5 freeway, sits the
Mountain Shakespeare Festival (MSF), a company that produces the Bard's scripts and other classic plays in an outdoor setting fit for warm weather
lounging. The festival's Northridge connection is co-founder Peter Kjenaas, president of Nancy Cartwright's Northridge-based Cartwright Entertainment and
SportsBlast (for those of you who are not aware, Nancy Cartwright is the Honorary Mayor of the North Valley and the voice of Bart Simpson). Kjenaas refers to
the theatrical undertaking as "my grand moonlighting project."
Kjenaas certainly has the chops for his Shakespearean side gig. He worked for three seasons at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, playing some of the
leading roles in the prestigious, Tony Award-winning, Ashland-based program. He has also worked for the California Shakespeare Festival and the Kern
Shakespeare Festival. He has a BA in theatre from San Francisco State and has had several of his plays and an animated series produced.
"We are trying to create a professional festival with the vibrancy and viability of the Ashland festival," Kjenaas said. "We are in such a beautiful location and
there wasn't much theatre up here when I arrived." While Kjenaas has worked on camera in commercials, television and film, his involvement in
Shakespearean staging is exceedingly vast. In 2005, he directed a production of "The Taming of the Shrew" at North Hollywood's El Portal Theatre, then
brought back the show in 2006, adding a production of "Romeo and Juliet" in repertoire. These shows were the early seeds of MSF, which is now in its third
season. In a show of commitment to craft, Kjenaas runs Stage Coach, a Wednesday night class in Frazier Park that helps theatrical actors, writers and
directors hone their on-stage skills. He is also currently co-teaching a unit plan on theatre arts with his wife, Michelle Morain, at Frazier Mountain High School.
But when July roles around, MSF takes center stage as productions get underway.
This year's bill includes two shows, Shakespeare's "The Comedy of Errors" and Kaufman and Hart's "You Can't Take it With You." Tickets cost a mere $5, the
shows are up every weekend in July (on July 4 weekend, there are no showings of "You Can't Take it With You"), and the setting is an outdoor gazebo in Pine
Mountain Village, surrounded by majestic pine trees.
The actors are mostly professionals, with some opportunities for young people and beginners. MSF managing director Kat Fair is a teacher at Frazier
Mountain High School with a vested interest in education. "Getting young people involved is an important part of the festival," Kjenaas said.
It shouldn't be hard to get the whole family on board with a trip to MSF, as the surrounding community offers hiking, biking and a wide array of activity for all
ages. Cabins are available for rent and it's an easy drive from the North Valley.
If you're tired of the beach, but want to get away for a weekend during the dog days, why not head to the mountains for a taste of outdoor drama? Kjenaas and
crew invite you to "stay and breathe a while."
For more information about the Mountain Shakespeare Festival, visit www.mountainshakes.org.
Written by AMY LYONS for the North Valley Community News
It's summertime and that means many theatres in the San Fernando Valley are dark, saving the next round of curtain hoisting for the fall. But all is not lost for
North Valley audiences hungry for quality summer stock fare. Nestled in the mountainous region of Frazier Park, a one hour drive up the 5 freeway, sits the
Mountain Shakespeare Festival (MSF), a company that produces the Bard's scripts and other classic plays in an outdoor setting fit for warm weather
lounging. The festival's Northridge connection is co-founder Peter Kjenaas, president of Nancy Cartwright's Northridge-based Cartwright Entertainment and
SportsBlast (for those of you who are not aware, Nancy Cartwright is the Honorary Mayor of the North Valley and the voice of Bart Simpson). Kjenaas refers to
the theatrical undertaking as "my grand moonlighting project."
Kjenaas certainly has the chops for his Shakespearean side gig. He worked for three seasons at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, playing some of the
leading roles in the prestigious, Tony Award-winning, Ashland-based program. He has also worked for the California Shakespeare Festival and the Kern
Shakespeare Festival. He has a BA in theatre from San Francisco State and has had several of his plays and an animated series produced.
"We are trying to create a professional festival with the vibrancy and viability of the Ashland festival," Kjenaas said. "We are in such a beautiful location and
there wasn't much theatre up here when I arrived." While Kjenaas has worked on camera in commercials, television and film, his involvement in
Shakespearean staging is exceedingly vast. In 2005, he directed a production of "The Taming of the Shrew" at North Hollywood's El Portal Theatre, then
brought back the show in 2006, adding a production of "Romeo and Juliet" in repertoire. These shows were the early seeds of MSF, which is now in its third
season. In a show of commitment to craft, Kjenaas runs Stage Coach, a Wednesday night class in Frazier Park that helps theatrical actors, writers and
directors hone their on-stage skills. He is also currently co-teaching a unit plan on theatre arts with his wife, Michelle Morain, at Frazier Mountain High School.
But when July roles around, MSF takes center stage as productions get underway.
This year's bill includes two shows, Shakespeare's "The Comedy of Errors" and Kaufman and Hart's "You Can't Take it With You." Tickets cost a mere $5, the
shows are up every weekend in July (on July 4 weekend, there are no showings of "You Can't Take it With You"), and the setting is an outdoor gazebo in Pine
Mountain Village, surrounded by majestic pine trees.
The actors are mostly professionals, with some opportunities for young people and beginners. MSF managing director Kat Fair is a teacher at Frazier
Mountain High School with a vested interest in education. "Getting young people involved is an important part of the festival," Kjenaas said.
It shouldn't be hard to get the whole family on board with a trip to MSF, as the surrounding community offers hiking, biking and a wide array of activity for all
ages. Cabins are available for rent and it's an easy drive from the North Valley.
If you're tired of the beach, but want to get away for a weekend during the dog days, why not head to the mountains for a taste of outdoor drama? Kjenaas and
crew invite you to "stay and breathe a while."
For more information about the Mountain Shakespeare Festival, visit www.mountainshakes.org.
The Taming of the Shrew
On its surface, Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew is the story of the feisty,
willful “shrew,” Katarina, who refuses to be ruled by father or suitor until Petruchio
comes along and “tames” her into a properly submissive wife. The literary
tradition of “taming” an unruly female was one well known to Renaissance
audiences from medieval farces and folktale traditions. In reality though, women
who refused to be “ruled” by their husbands or fathers could legally be subjected
to harsh physical punishments that were cruel and unusual to say the least.
Shakespeare however, highlights Katarina’s wit and intellect and depicts her
“taming” through language. It is her “harsh tongue” that is brought into
compliance with Petruchio’s outrageous demands for obedience. He frustrates
her linguistically by willfully misinterpreting the meaning of her words. When she
“rails” at him, he insists “she sings as sweetly as a nightingale.” This reverse
psychology approach succeeds so well that by the end of the play Katarina is
willing to insist that the sun is the moon, if Petruchio wishes it. But can such a
linguistic “taming” be authentic? Shakespeare challenges the audience to
consider language more critically and examine the potentially gaping gulf
between meaning and interpretation. Much depends on how Katarina’s final
speech is delivered (and interpreted): is her submissiveness sincere, sarcastic,
ironic? The Mountain Shakespeare Festival is happy to present Stacey Havener
in the title role of our Summer, 2010 production of The Taming of the Shrew and
we invite you to watch, enjoy and, of course, interpret as you like it!
The Odd Couple
Neil Simon’s initial pairing of the fastidious Felix Unger and the slovenly Oscar
Madison not only enjoyed an enviable 964 show run on Broadway from 1965-67,
but was such a phenomenal success that it eventually spawned a successful
film (and sequel), an Emmy-nominated television series, and an animated
series; it was even inverted by Simon into “The Female Odd Couple,” enjoying
another run of 295 performances of Broadway in 1985. Audiences of all ages it
seems can relate to the conflict of personality between Oscar the slob and Felix
the neat freak. The Odd Couple however, is about far more than just this conflict.
The play explores the insecurities and needs of these two men as they try to
make their way in the world cut off from the family life they’d previously enjoyed.
Aside from their famously funny lifestyle clash, Neil Simon provides audiences
with an intelligent look at the inestimable value of a supportive friendship. These
men may struggle over the relative merits of order and disorder in their lives, but
that struggle reflects their emotional lives as well as their “surface tension.” The
genius of Neil Simon lies in his ability to demonstrate for us that there is humor
to be found in both struggles.
On its surface, Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew is the story of the feisty,
willful “shrew,” Katarina, who refuses to be ruled by father or suitor until Petruchio
comes along and “tames” her into a properly submissive wife. The literary
tradition of “taming” an unruly female was one well known to Renaissance
audiences from medieval farces and folktale traditions. In reality though, women
who refused to be “ruled” by their husbands or fathers could legally be subjected
to harsh physical punishments that were cruel and unusual to say the least.
Shakespeare however, highlights Katarina’s wit and intellect and depicts her
“taming” through language. It is her “harsh tongue” that is brought into
compliance with Petruchio’s outrageous demands for obedience. He frustrates
her linguistically by willfully misinterpreting the meaning of her words. When she
“rails” at him, he insists “she sings as sweetly as a nightingale.” This reverse
psychology approach succeeds so well that by the end of the play Katarina is
willing to insist that the sun is the moon, if Petruchio wishes it. But can such a
linguistic “taming” be authentic? Shakespeare challenges the audience to
consider language more critically and examine the potentially gaping gulf
between meaning and interpretation. Much depends on how Katarina’s final
speech is delivered (and interpreted): is her submissiveness sincere, sarcastic,
ironic? The Mountain Shakespeare Festival is happy to present Stacey Havener
in the title role of our Summer, 2010 production of The Taming of the Shrew and
we invite you to watch, enjoy and, of course, interpret as you like it!
The Odd Couple
Neil Simon’s initial pairing of the fastidious Felix Unger and the slovenly Oscar
Madison not only enjoyed an enviable 964 show run on Broadway from 1965-67,
but was such a phenomenal success that it eventually spawned a successful
film (and sequel), an Emmy-nominated television series, and an animated
series; it was even inverted by Simon into “The Female Odd Couple,” enjoying
another run of 295 performances of Broadway in 1985. Audiences of all ages it
seems can relate to the conflict of personality between Oscar the slob and Felix
the neat freak. The Odd Couple however, is about far more than just this conflict.
The play explores the insecurities and needs of these two men as they try to
make their way in the world cut off from the family life they’d previously enjoyed.
Aside from their famously funny lifestyle clash, Neil Simon provides audiences
with an intelligent look at the inestimable value of a supportive friendship. These
men may struggle over the relative merits of order and disorder in their lives, but
that struggle reflects their emotional lives as well as their “surface tension.” The
genius of Neil Simon lies in his ability to demonstrate for us that there is humor
to be found in both struggles.
