The concept of "what happens to characters when no actors are around to play them?" works. And I've always been a fan of taking Shakespeare monologues out of context. My favorites in this original piece are "Queen Mab" taken from "Romeo and Juliet" and "Oh, what a rogue and peasant slave am I" from "Hamlet."

Oh sure, there are a handful or two more packed neatly into 45 minutes set in an asylum. But they seemed to be played too much in context, despite director/Nurse Ratched Greg Taber's read verbal introductions to each speech. I think if there were more interaction among the actors during their characters' outbursts, it would be a more complete production.

Then again, that wasn't the aim, according to Lisa Mercier-Taber, who does a Lady MacBeth soliloquy here. This was the first venture from Theatre Ventoux, which is producing "This Flattering Glass" -- a sendup of "Richard II" -- next month. Therefore, it plays as more of a commercial than anything to show the chops of their acting corps.

By that standard, "A Muse of Fire" is a brilliant stroke of marketing. The Tabers, who are veterans of the Woodward Shakespeare festival, have shown that they can interpret the Bard and produce a high-quality show (and in a short period of time).

I'm glad Greg Taber added lengthy intros for his shrink to say, but I was confused at times by the character choice. Was he reading a chart for each "patient," or reading it because those would be hard to memorize in a short turnaround (the play was produced in less than a month)? Either way, I would have preferred a more clear commitment. I caught him looking up too much at the audience if his intent was the former.

But as far as my preference for locals performing original theater specifically for the Rogue, I give this first-class piece an A. I loved the concept and music selections, if not all of the sometimes uneven speeches.

"A Muse of Fire" plays at Dianna's South at 8:30 p.m. Thursday and 10 p.m. Friday. Tickets are $5.