Fred Graham News

'If music be the food of love, play on.' Even before the invention of the musical comedy (more on that later), William Shakespeare knew the importance of music in telling stories on stage. For our March feature, my colleague Jeff Walker and I thought that instead of marking the Ides of March with songs about murder, betrayal, and fate, we would focus on the synergy between showtunes and Shakespeare.

Kiss Me Kate -- Cole Porter's 1953 hit musical filmed with the most advanced 3D technology during the medium's "golden era" - will be released March 3 in a new restored Blu-ray edition by Warner Bros. Home Entertainment.

If things around the Thanksgiving table get too darn hot, entertain your spouse, your friends, and your in-laws with this theatrically-immersive classic musical. KISS ME, KATE pops and swings! With a five-piece band playing Cole Porter's most-loved tunes, a professional cast, and colorful costumes, KISS ME, KATE is a musical reinvented for today's audiences.

KISS ME, KATE is on stage at the Saratoga Civic Theatre located at 13777 Fruitvale Avenue in Saratoga, September 27 to October 18, 2014. Performance times are Friday and Today evenings at 8 p.m., and Sunday matinees at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are priced at $20 - $35. Opening Night $39 (champagne reception). To order tickets by phone, call 408-266-4734.

The Denver Center Theatre Company presents the highly anticipated new adaptation of Meredith Willson's classic musical, THE UNSINKABLE MOLLY BROWN. Based on the book by Richard Morris, the revitalized production will feature a new book and additional lyrics by three-time Tony Award nominee Dick Scanlan (Thoroughly Modern Millie) and showcase never before heard songs from Willson's prolific body of work with musical adaptation by Michael Rafter(Violet). It is be directed and choreographed by three-time Tony Award winner Kathleen Marshall (Anything Goes). Check out a first look at the opening night party.

Cole Porter's Kiss Me Kate is a timeless, delightful musical romp that can be seen again and again. It's an overblown, joyous account of two egotistical actors, once married to each other, who adore one another but just cannot be around each other very long without catastrophic, calamitous results. It's also a play within a play, as Lilli Vanessi (Merle Dandridge) and Fred Graham (Wayne Brady) are on tour essaying Katharine and Petruchio in Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew. Above all, the silly contrived story is overshadowed by Cole Porter's divine score with some of the most glorious tunes ever composed. Kiss Me Kate is a showcase to Porter's genius. The current revival at Pasadena Playhouse, although not any better than any of the other local revivals as of late, does boast the comical presence of Wayne Brady and the stunning talent of Merle Dandridge..

The Denver Center Theatre Company presents the highly anticipated new adaptation of Meredith Willson's classic musical, THE UNSINKABLE MOLLY BROWN. Based on the book by Richard Morris, the revitalized production will feature a new book and additional lyrics by three-time Tony Award nominee Dick Scanlan (Thoroughly Modern Millie) and showcase never before heard songs from Willson's prolific body of work with musical adaptation by Michael Rafter (Violet). The production began previews on September 12 and opens tonight, September 19, in The Stage Theatre. It will be directed and choreographed by three-time Tony Award winner Kathleen Marshall (Anything Goes).

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.

KISS ME, KATE is on stage at the Saratoga Civic Theatre located at 13777 Fruitvale Avenue in Saratoga, September 27 to October 18, 2014. Performance times are Friday and Saturday evenings at 8 p.m., and Sunday matinees at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are priced at $20 - $35. Opening Night $39 (champagne reception). To order tickets by phone, call 408-266-4734.

Kiss Me, Kate will be the first production at the Four Season's historic Union Theater after two full years of renovations.

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, Sept. 12 and 19 at 8 p.m.; Saturdays, Sept. 13 and 20 at 8 p.m.; and Sundays, Sept. 14 and 21 at 2 p.m.

Kiss Me, Kate will be the first production at the Four Season's historic Union Theater after two full years of renovations.

The Denver Center Theatre Company today announced the complete cast and creative team for the highly anticipated new adaptation of Meredith Willson's classic musical, THE UNSINKABLE MOLLY BROWN. Based on the book by Richard Morris, the revitalized production will feature a new book and additional lyrics by three-time Tony Award nominee Dick Scanlan (Thoroughly Modern Millie) and showcase never before heard songs from Willson's prolific body of work with musical adaptation by Michael Rafter (Violet). The production opens for previews on September 12 in The Stage Theatre and will be directed and choreographed by three-time Tony Award winner Kathleen Marshall (Anything Goes).

Barrington Stage Company (BSC), the award-winning theatre in Downtown Pittsfield, MA, under the leadership of Artistic Director Julianne Boyd and Managing Director Tristan Wilson, presents the company's 20th Anniversary Season opener - Kiss Me, Kate, which opened earlier this and runs through July 12 on the Boyd-Quinson Mainstage (30 Union Street). Below, BroadwayWorld brings you a first look at the cast in action!

For this classic musical, Barrington Stage went big - and it pays off in a rollicking, ribald KISS ME, KATE with top notch singing, dancing, and saging. Cole Porter's musical gets a great cast that does his music proud, while not mining the genius of Bella and Samuel Spewack's book for every possible laugh.

Barrington Stage Company (BSC), the award-winning theatre in Downtown Pittsfield, MA, under the leadership of Artistic Director Julianne Boyd and Managing Director Tristan Wilson, presents the company's 20th Anniversary Season opener - Kiss Me, Kate, which opened last night, June 16, and runs through July 12 on the Boyd-Quinson Mainstage (30 Union Street). Below, BroadwayWorld brings you a look back at the opening night celebrations!

Barrington Stage Company (BSC), the award-winning theatre in Downtown Pittsfield, MA, under the leadership of Artistic Director Julianne Boyd and Managing Director Tristan Wilson, presents the company's 20th Anniversary Season opener - Kiss Me, Kate, to be presented today, June 11 through July 12 on the Boyd-Quinson Mainstage (30 Union Street).

Barrington Stage Company (BSC), the award-winning theatre in Downtown Pittsfield, MA, under the leadership of Artistic Director Julianne Boyd and Managing Director Tristan Wilson, has announced casting for the company's 20th Anniversary Season opener - Kiss Me, Kate, to be presented June 11 through July 12 on the Boyd-Quinson Mainstage (30 Union Street).

The Longwood Players present Kiss Me, Kate at Cambridge YMCA Theater, 820 Massachusetts Avenue, Central Square, Cambridge. Kiss Me, Kate will run now through May 10.