Point Park University's Conservatory Theatre Company Presents the Musical Theatre Classic, KISS ME, KATE

Point Park University's Conservatory Theatre Company presents Kiss Me, Kate, a classic American musical about romance, comedy, and all of the shenanigans that go into making a musical. With a sweeping score and jazzed-out dance numbers, this is a pivotal show that defined the Golden Age of musicals and even won the first-ever Tony Award for Best Musical in 1949.

Directed and choreographed by Zeva Barzell, Kiss Me, Kate runs October 20-29, 2017, in the Rockwell Theatre at the Pittsburgh Playhouse, 222 Craft Ave. Performances will be at 8 p.m.Thursdays through Saturdays, and 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Adult tickets are $20-$24, students and seniors are $10, and can be purchased by calling the Pittsburgh Playhouse box office at 412-392-8000 or visiting www.pittsburghplayhouse.com.

Two divorced - and loudly egotistical - performers star opposite each other in this show within a show, that was inspired by the famous acting couple Alfred Lunt and Lynne Fontaine and the production that they did in the 1930's Taming of the Shrew. Tensions rise throughout the night's performance, backstage and on-stage, with the ex-lovers' quarrels and angry gangsters. Kiss Me, Kate is the perfect tribute to musical theatre in all of its glory.

"What a privilege to work on Cole Porter and Shakespeare in the same play, both geniuses with language," said director and choreographer, Barzell. "Our students are working tirelessly to "Brush Up" on their Shakespeare, and bring "Another Op'nin, Another Show" to the Pittsburgh Playhouse."

Kiss Me, Kate features musical direction by Camille Rolla, scenic design by Johnmichael Bohach, costume design by Cathleen Crocker-Perry, lighting design by Andrew David Ostrowski, and sound design by StEve Shapiro.

Don't miss this year's new special lecture series, Freud on Forbes. Following the Saturday, October 21performance of Kiss Me, Kate at 8 p.m., members of the Pittsburgh Psychoanalytic Center will analyze the script in order to help the audience get inside the mind of the playwright.

Barzell is a nationally awarded director and choreographer with training in London and New York City where she lived for many years. Recognized for her work in television and National Voice Over work, Barzell is a professional actor, including credits in Off Broadway where she originated the great lady in Robert Patrick's Orpheus and Amerika, among others. As director/choreographer at Point Park University she has worked on The Who's Tommy, Urinetown, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Into the Woods, Alice In Wonderland, Ragtime (choreographer), She Loves Me, Oklahoma!, Hairas well as Parade (associate director with Michael Rupert, director). Ms. Barzell is the Head of Musical Theatre at Point Park University and a proud member of AEA, SAG-AFTRA.