When judging a punk musical adapted from a Shakespeare play, which set of standards comes first?
“Titus X: The Musical,” a screeching riff on “Titus Andronicus,” may not be great theater, but as a punk rock show, it’s ready for the hall of fame. Theater first. Of all the Bard’s plays, “Titus” is perfect for metalheads. Violence stains almost every scene, starting when captured queen Tamora vows revenge on the titular Roman soldier for sacrificing her son. From there, vengeance follows vengeance until heads roll, hands and tongues are severed and two boys get baked in a pie. The naked aggression begs for a thrashing score. Playwright Shawn Northrip provides it. His songs are loud, fast and full of curse words. The onstage band sweats gallons as they back shrieking numbers about injustice and retribution. As chaotic as it sounds, however, there is craft beneath the din. Several numbers have strong enough hooks for the radio, including a power ballad from Titus’ daughter, Lavinia (Laurie Davis), about her right to marry a man her father didn’t choose. But the show never gets deeper t
