Act II Playhouse to Present KISS ME, KATE, 5/17-6/19

It's "Too Darn Hot!" Act II Playhouse in Ambler presents the Tony Award-winning musical Kiss Me, Kate, on stage from May 17-June 19, 2016. The classic musical comedy features a book by Sam and Bella Spewack and an iconic score by Cole Porter.

One of the most acclaimed romantic musical comedies of all time, Kiss Me, Kate features many of Cole Porter's wittiest and most popular songs. Audiences watch as a touring company gets ready to open a production of Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew. Butthe divorced stars' backstage battles threaten to stop the show, while a couple of wise-guy mobsters lurk in the wings.

This beloved classic features such high-spirited Cole Porter tunes as "Another Op'nin, Another Show," "Too Darn Hot," "Wunderbar," "So In Love," "Brush Up Your Shakespeare," and "Always True to You in my Fashion." This spectacular revival is directed by Peter Reynolds, with music direction by Mike Pacifico and choreography by Maggie Anderson.

"Kiss Me, Kate is, arguably, Cole Porter's finest score," Reynolds said. "A classic musical told on an intimate scale for the wonderful audiences of Act II, what could be better?"

Act II's production has already been extended until June 19, and many of the first performances are already sold out. Audiences are encouraged to buy tickets early so they won't miss this thrilling new production.

The original 1949 Broadway production of Kiss Me, Kate won the first Tony Award for Best Musical. At Act II's intimate 130-seat theatre, audiences will get to hear the songs as Porter intended them: "in the natural voice, not blasted through a sound system," Reynolds said. "Kiss Me, Kate was written when songwriting was built upon the artistry of composition and lyric writing, not volume and sound manipulation. I am excited for audiences to hear and enjoy this story up close and personal."

Tickets for Kiss Me, Kate are $30-$41. Discounts are available for subscribers, students, groups of 10 or more, and seniors (65+). Tickets are available online at http://www.act2.org or by calling the Act II box office at(215) 654-0200. Opening night is Friday, May 20 at 8 p.m. A complete calendar of performances can be found here.

Kiss Me, Kate stars Sean Thompson, Jennie Eisenhower, Mindy Dougherty, Zachary Chiero, Sonny Leo, Peter Bisgaier, Jordan Dobson, Maria Konstantinidis, Joey Abramowicz, Andy Joos, Kevin Toniazzo-Naughton, and Kathryn Brunner. The creative team also includes Colin McIlvaine (Scenic Design), Jeff Sturdivant (Costume Design), James Leitner (Lighting Design), and Larry D. Fowler Jr. (Sound Design).