Cole Porter's Kiss Me, KATE
JUNE 11 - 29, 2008 - Baker Theatre, Trexler Pavilion for Theatre & Dance
Muhlenberg Summer Music Theatre's high-spirited production is based on the original 1948 Broadway version of Kiss Me, Kate. Comedy, romance, song, and dance sizzle in this boistrous show inspired by Shakespeare’s take on the classic battle of the sexes. While cast members of a musical version of The Taming the Shrew, celebrate “Another Op’nin’, Another Show”, the stars, Fred and Lilli, celebrate the first anniversary of their divorce. While rehearsals unfold on stage, intrigue, misdirection, and fiery passion erupt off stage.
 The production stars Ed Bara as Fred, whose professional highlights include lead roles in Don Giovanni, The Pirates of Penzance, Oliver!, Camelot and who is also a regular soloist at Philadelphia’s renowned Kimmel Center. As Lilli, Sarah Primmer is familiar to SMT audeinces for her roles as Hodel in Fiddler on the Roof and as Carrie Pipperidge in Carousel. Playing opposite them are Scott Parkinson and Rebecca Goldstein as Bill and Lois. The production jumps off the stage with an exceptional ensemble of dancers and singers performing some of the sexiest numbers in musical theatre.
 Life and art run parallel in Cole Porter’s lively romantic comedy. Lilli and Fred are perfect complements to each other as Shakespeare’s bitingly witty Katharine and the smugly confident Petruchio. However, freshly divorced and determinedly involved with other people, neither one of them is willing to realize they are a perfect match in real life as well.
Audiences fall in love with the lush ballads, jazzy melodies, and hilarious songs in Cole Porter's classic score, includding “Too Darn Hot,” “So in Love,” “Always True to You in My Fashion” and “Why Can’t You Behave?” Kiss Me, Kate marks a high point in Cole Porter's long and fruitful career as a composer for the musical theatre; it is the only one of his musicals to exceed a thousand performances on Broadway.
Kiss Me, Kate is directed by MSMT General Director Charles Richter, with musical direction by Musical Artistic Director Jeremy Slavin and choreography by guest artist Daniel Gwirtzman.
"You can see why they, as the cliche goes, don't write 'em like that anymore." writes Paul Willistein of The Press. M"uhlenberg's exuberant production pops and sizzles with the mirth of a bygone era. What's wonderful about director Charlie Richter's production is that he returns us to the roots of the 1948 Tony Award-winning original, rather than the 2000 Tony-winning revival, which had a revised libretto and new orchestrations."
 Myra Outwater of The Morning Call writes, "Muhlenberg Summer Music Theatre's production of Cole Porter's Kiss Me, Kate is visually outstanding, with sumptuous sets and gorgeous and imaginative costumes. It is also a musical delight with glorious songs, soaring voices and an ensemble of energetic and engaging dancers."
She adds that featured are veteran actors Bill Mutimer and Bob Fahringer as the comical gangsters "light up the stage" and that "set and costume designer Campbell Baird has created a color palette that makes you gasp with its beauty." |
2400 Chew St.