Only Cole Porter and Bella & Sam Spewack could do Shakespeare one better, and this they do in “Kiss Me Kate”, a rollicking version of the Old Bard’s “The Taming Of The Shrew”. A play within a play - - a structure that Shakespeare himself implemented to heighten the comedy in his works. The alluring Spewack and Porter version switches back and forth between the stormy back stage romance and the theatrical onstage antics of a divorced but still in love couple, Fred Graham, the show’s producer, and Lilli Vanessi, his ex-wife ans star.
The troupe comes together in Baltimore in 1996 to try out Fred’s musical version of “The Shrew”. "Kiss Me Kate” exists in virtual realtime as the musical version of “The Shrew” runs parallel to the offstage conflicts of the divorced but still-infatuated Fred and Lilli.
This clever plot calls for the players to have dual roles and thus the couple play the parts of the prowling Kate and swashbuckling Prtruccio “obstage”. The subplot to Fred and Lilli’s relationship is the rocky romance of Lois, a helpless flirt, and her dance partner and incurable gambler, Bill. Lois and Bill’s roles are enlivened by their performances as Bianca and Lucretio “onstage”. To add to the the uproarious delight, two gangsters arrive to collect Bill’s gambling debt but end up as part of the show.
Book by Sam and Bella Spewak
Music and Lyrics by Cole Porter
Based on William Shakespeare’s
(The Taming of The Shrew)
Produced by Paul Slovak
Directed by Paul Slovak
Musical Conductor Mitch Poolman
Vocal Direction by Luanne McKinley
Choreography by Hilary Lindsay
Show Dates
November 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, 1996
Performances
Location
Cast | ||
Fred Graham (Petruchio) | - | Mark Tomesak |
Lilli Vanessi (Katherine) | - | Cindy Eberhardt |
Harry Trevor (Baptista) | - | Mark A. Harris |
Losi Lane (Bianca) | - | Katherine Thurman |
Hattie (Maid to Lilli) | - | Sara Ledzianowski |
Ralph (Stage Manager) | - | R. Mathew Scarborough |
Pop (Stage Doorman) | - | Brian K. Dauer |
Paul (Hortensio) | - | Ron Davis |
Bill Calhoun (Lucentio) | - | Brock Jaworski |
(Gremio) | - | Richard Clever |
1st Gangster | - | Denny Shere |
2nd Gangster | - | Eric Collier |
Harrison Howel | - | Mark S. Lindberg |
Cab Driver | - | Gerald A. Dauer |
Chorus | - | Cheri Deal Trisha Fleitz Marianne Bodi Becky Buehrer Kay Karrick Sara Ledzianowski R. Mathew Scarborough Gerald A. Dauer Jennifer Westrick Kathy Gerity Barb Vought Joanie Kwiatowski Jill Gregg Kristy Grycza Brian K. Dauer Wendy Deal |
Orchestra | ||
Violin | - | Seth Gangwer Micah Gangwer |
Harp | - | Denise Grupp |
Cello | - | Scott Radcliffe |
Bass | - | Joe Kelso |
Flute | - | Virgina Dickey |
Saxaphone/Clarinet | - | Dave Romer Lloyd Lewis |
Trumpet | - | Eric Troutner |
Trombone | - | Larry Twitchell |
French Horn | - | Stephanie Rudick David McClelland |
Percussion | - | Don Gerschultz |
Piano | - | Carol Coats |
Production Team | ||
Set Design | - | Paul Slovak |
Set Construction | - | Paul Slovak Susan Slovak Chuck Karrick Kay Karrick Julie Dombkowski |
Stage Manager | - | Chuck Karrick |
Rehearsal Assistant | - | Darlene Denham |
Lights | - | Marty Limmer Tammy Limmer Lisa Fox |
Sound | - | Ian McKinley Bob Stucker |
Publicity | - | Sharon Armstrong Jane Schnell |
Stage Crew | - | Chuck Karrick Patti Kasper |
Make Up | - | JoAnn Mickelson Doris Lafferty Gloria Fitzgerald Toni Strohscher |
Tickets | - | Susan Slovak |
Program | - | Glen Hamilton |
House Manager | - | Diane Hess |
Concessions | - | Dinah Henderson The Choraliers |