Kiss Me, Kate

Musical: Music and Lyrics by Cole Porter. Book by Sam and Bella Spewack.
Directors: Hannah Carda and Bethany Amundson

Combine Shakespeare's "Taming of the Shrew" with Cole Porter's music and lyrics to get "Kiss Me, Kate," an instant success with every cast and audience. This is a play-within-a-play where each cast member's on-stage life is complicated by what is happening offstage. Musical numbers include Why Can't You Behave, So In Love Am I, Wunderbar, Tom, Dick or Harry, Were Thine That Special Face, Too Darn Hot, Brush Up Your Shakespeare, I Hate Men, Always True to You (In My Fashion) and Another Op'nin, Another Show. "Kiss Me, Kate" is fun, melodious and sophisticated.

"Kiss Me, Kate" was originally produced in 1948 and has been considered one of Broadway's treasures. It was revived in 1999, taking advantage of new technology in music and keeping in mind evolving social values. It won five Tony Awards for Best Musical, Best Produced Show, Best Script, Best Score and Best Costumes in 1948-1949.