Performance Now Theatre Brings KISS ME, KATE to Lakewood Cultural Center, Now thru 6/30

Performance Now Theatre Company presents Kiss Me, Kate, featuring Music and Lyrics by Cole Porter and Book by Samuel and Bella Spewack. Directed by Kelly Van Oosbree, the show includes choreography by Kelly Van Oosbree, with music direction by Michael Bowerman.

Kiss Me, Kate will run tonight, June 14 - 30 at the Lakewood Cultural Center, 470 S. Allison Parkway. Performances are Fridays & Saturdays at 7:30 p.m.; Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m. Tickets are $28 Adult and are available by calling 303-987-7845, going online to www.performancenow.org or visiting the Lakewood Cultural Center Box Office, 470 S. Allison Parkway (Wadsworth and Alameda). Ample, free on-site parking available.

Combine Shakespeare's "Taming of the Shrew" with 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," and "Another Op'nin, Another Show." "Kiss Me, Kate" is fun, melodious and sophisticated.

The cast includes Melanie Horton (Kate), Timothy Kennedy (Fred), Brian Trampler (Man 1), Matt Gnonjek (Man 2), Suzanna Champion (Lois) and Andrew Bates (Bill). Rounding out the cast is Ryan Buehler (General Howell), Claude Diener (Ralph), Tim Fishbaugh (Pops), Traci Kerns (Hattie), Wes Munsil (Harry) with ensemble members Jennifer Arfston, Samantha Burley, Jessica Clayton, Dillon Colagrosso, James Crapes, Becky DeLio-Trampler, Michael Deni, Cara Lippitt, John Mackey, Amy Pyne, Chelsea Ringer, Andy Sievers, Joseph Taczak, Bethany Taylor, Christopher Turner and Jenny Weiss.

The show plays Fri./Sat. at 7:30 p.m.; Sat./Sun. at 2 p.m. at the Lakewood Cultural Center, 470 S. Allison Parkway. TIckets: $28 Adult, $25 Student/Senior, $21 Children 12 and under. Group rates are available. Call 303-987-7845 or online at www.performancenow.org.