KISS ME KATE Opens Tonight at MCCC's Kelsey Theatre

A battle of the sexes is about to begin at Mercer County Community College's Kelsey Theatre as PinnWorth Productions presents the Broadway classic Kiss Me Kate. Featuring Cole Porter's acclaimed musical score, this comedy knock-out comes to the stage Fridays, today, Sept. 12 and the 19th at 8 p.m.; Saturdays, Sept. 13 and 20 at 8 p.m.; and Sundays, Sept. 14 and 21 at 2 p.m. Kelsey Theatre is conveniently located on the college's West Windsor campus, 1200 Old Trenton Road. A reception with the cast and crew will follow the opening night performance on Sept. 12.

Tickets are $20 for adults, $18 for seniors and $16 for students and children. Free parking is available next to the theater. Tickets may be purchased online at www.kelseytheatre.net or by calling the Kelsey Box Office at 609-570-3333. For a complete listing of adult and children's events, visit the Kelsey webpage or call the box office for a brochure.

"Kiss Me Kate" is a witty, boisterous play-within-a-play. Fred and Lilli, a divorced couple, are cast as leads in a production of Shakespeare's Taming of the Shrew. Their tumultuous backstage romance and the comic antics of the other leading couple, Bill and Lois, are brilliantly complemented by Porter's rich musical score, which includes such hits as "Another Op'nin, Another Show," "Too Darn Hot," "Wunderbar," and "Brush Up Your Shakespeare."

Starring in "Kiss Me Kate" are Susan Fowler of Lambertville as Lilli Vanessi/Katherine; Tom Orr of Ewing as Fred Graham/Petruchio; Jonathan Polanco of Hamilton as Bill Calhoun/Lucentio; and Rachel Smith of Cinnaminson as Lois Lane/Bianca.

The supporting cast includes Chris Arena of Ewing, Evan Bilinski of Franklin Park, Reginald Brockington of Hamilton, Christa DiLalo Petti of Edison, Rachel Garrettson of East Windsor, Bridget Hughes of Jackson, Dan Johnson of Ewing, Lindsey Jordon of Metuchen, Mariah King of Jersey City, Alan Kramer of Mt. Laurel, Sean McGrath of Bucks County, Sally Page of Princeton, Nicholas Pecht of Ewing, Donna Reed of Bordentown, Todd Roman of Fords, Lexi Schlaifer of Hightstown, Roman Sohor of Old Bridge, Tonya Treadwell of Trenton, and Koren "KZ" Zander of San Francisco, CA.

The show is directed by LouJ Stalsworth, with musical direction by Peter de Mets, choreography by Renee Liciaga, and fight choreography by Peter Liciaga. The stage manager is Jon Cintron and assistant stage manager is Amanda Suchil.