Photo Flash: Broadway's Original 'Kate' Patricia Morison Visits KISS ME, KATE at Pasadena Playhouse

The Pasadena Playhouse presents multi-Emmy Award winning Wayne Brady ("Let's Make a Deal," "Whose Line Is It Anyway?") as Fred/Petruchio in the Cole Porter Broadway musical KISS ME, KATE, directed by Sheldon Epps. The production also stars Merle Dandridge (Broadway's Spamalot and Tarzan) as Lilli/Kate. KISS ME, KATE opened tonightperforms through October 12, 2014. The production opened last night, September 21, and Broadway's original 'Kate', Patricia Morison, visited the show - scroll down for a photo!

KISS ME, KATE represents the iconic composer-lyricist Cole Porter at his very best and includes some of musical theatre's most famous songs: "So in Love," "Another Op'nin' Another Show," "Too Darn Hot," and "Brush Up Your Shakespeare." It is without a doubt one of the great classics of the American musical theatre, celebrating Shakespeare (it describes a musical production of The Taming of the Shrew) and the joys, madness, and the rewards of working in the theatre - both onstage and off. The book is by Bella and Samuel Spewack.

The Pasadena Playhouse production views the work through a new lens, using the wonderful material of this celebrated production to showcase the trailblazing African-American actors and entertainers of the early 20th century.

Joining Brady and Dandridge are KISS ME, KATE principal cast members: Joanna A. Jones as Lois/Bianca, Terrance Spencer as Bill/Lucentio, Jenelle Lynn Randall as Hattie, Rogelio Douglas, Jr. as Paul, David Kirk Grant as Thug #1, Brad Blaisdell as Thug #2, and Pat Towne as General Howell. The ensemble features Eric B. Anthony, Jay Donnell, Kimberly Moore, Shamicka Benn-Moser, Theresa Murray, Saudia Rashed, Carlton Wilborn, and Armando Yearwood, Jr.

The creative team for KISS ME, KATE also includes: Jeffrey Polk as choreographer, Rahn Coleman as music director, John Iacovelli as scenic designer, David K. Mickelsen as costume designer, Jared A. Sayeg as lighting designer, Jon Gottlieb as sound designer, Michael Donovan, CSA as casting director, and Lurie Horns Pfeffer as production stage manager.

For more information, visit PasadenaPlayhouse.org.

Photo Credit: Lana Huckabee