Aurora Theatre Opens Season with KISS ME KATE

Aurora Theatre's 14^th Season will be it's biggest ever starting with the legendary Cole Porter's most triumphant musical. Kiss Me, Kate ran on Broadway for an astounding 1,077 performances, but local theatre goers will only have 26 chances to catch this masterpiece of the jazz era. Taking its inspiration from Shakespeare, Kiss Me, Kate recounts the backstage and onstage antics of two feuding romantic couples during a touring production of The Taming of the Shrew. Kiss Me Kate reminds us, all is fair in love and war, especially when it is a battle of the sexes. The five-time Tony Award winning revival score sparkles with one hit song after another - including: Another Op'nin', Another Show, Wunderbar, From This Moment On, and Too Darn Hot.

One of the many ways Aurora Theatre is making this year their biggest, will be the new festivities surrounding the opening weekend of a main stage performance. The opening weekend Thursday night performance will feature a post-show reception where the audience is invited to mingle with the cast, crew and director. These receptions will also serve as a taste of our fabulous restaurants on the square. For Kiss Me, Kate, downtown Lawrenceville's newest dining attraction Sperata on the Square will be highlighted. In the nostalgic tradition of the ice cream social, Aurora Theatre introduces Sweet Treat Matinees at both the Saturday & Sunday opening weekend matinees, where Rita's of Lawrenceville will serve special frozen treats in addition to our standard concessions. Every single Friday of the season will be Martini Friday, with martini specials in the lobby from McCray's Tavern.

To give the start of the season even more panache, the first 1,000 patrons will receive a commemorative pint glass to toast Kiss Me, Kate courtesy of McCray's Tavern.

The Aurora Theatre production of Kiss Me, Kate features a powerhouse company of actors. The show features the incomparable Natasha Drena (Annie Get your Gun, Christmas Canteen) and her leading man, handsome J.C. Long (Shakespeare Tavern, Georgia Shakespeare). Two actors making a return to the Atlanta area with a Broadway pedigree are Glenn Rainey (Beauty and the Beast - 7 years on Broadway) and David Rossetti (Hairspray - National Touring Company). The cast is an amazing assembly of the region's top talent including Aurora's own Anthony Rodriguez.

"I am truly grateful to have the opportunity to present a uniquely American art form, the Broadway musical," extols a jubilant Anthony Rodriguez, Aurora Theatre Producing Artistic Director, who continues, "I am grateful to the talented artists and artisans who have dedicated their life to this work, and to the patrons who continue to support these efforts. In fact, in a year when many are opting for program cuts, through an amazing partnership with Georgia Gwinnet College we will be adding a new series of brave new works called the GGC Lab Series. We will add many chapters to our history this year, so don't miss this first one, because it's going to be memorable."

Kiss Me, Kate
Music and Lyrics by Cole Porter
Book by Bella & Samuel Spewack
August 6 - September 6
Performances are Thursday - Saturday at 8:00PM and Saturday & Sunday at 2:30PM
Tickets $16 - $30

Preview Performance, August 4 at 8:00PM
Tickets $10 with Library Card and only $5 with Gwinnett County Student ID

Wednesdays Discount Matinee, August 26 at 10:00 AM
Tickets $14

678.226.6222
www.auroratheatre.com
Aurora Theatre
128 Pike Street
Lawrenceville , GA 30045

Pictured are J.C. Long & Natasha Drena

Photo Credits: thereasoniblog.com