Harrison Howell News

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.

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..

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.

Westchester Broadway Theatre presents Kiss Me Kate with Music and Lyrics by Cole Porter and Book by Samuel and Bella Spewack. Directed and Choreographed by James Brennan with Musical Direction by Leo P Carusone the show runs thru November 3, 2013, starring Jeannie Shubitz as KATE /LILLI. BroadwayWorld has a first look at Shubitz onstage below!

Westchester Broadway Theatre presents Kiss Me Kate with Music and Lyrics by Cole Porter and Book by Samuel and Bella Spewack. Directed and Choreographed by James Brennan with Musical Direction by Leo P Carusone, the show runs now through November 3, 2013. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Westchester Broadway Theatre presents Kiss Me Kate with Music and Lyrics by Cole Porter and Book by Samuel and Bella Spewack. Directed and Choreographed by James Brennan with Musical Direction by Leo P Carusone, the show will run tonight, September 12 - November 3, 2013.

Westchester Broadway Theatre presents Kiss Me Kate with Music and Lyrics by Cole Porter and Book by Samuel and Bella Spewack. Directed and Choreographed by James Brennan with Musical Direction by Leo P Carusone, the show will run September 12 - November 3, 2013.

Buffalo native Michele Ragusa, who has been seen on Broadway in Young Frankenstein, Titanic and Ragtime, will play Lilli/Kate in a staged concert version of Cole Porter's Kiss Me, Kate April 27 with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra.The 8 PM performance will be conducted by Matthew Kraemer and directed by James Brennan.

Carrie Dunn is discomfited by some of the lines in the classic Cole Porter musical, but revels in terrific performances from Hannah Waddingham and Alex Bourne

Following closely on the heels of Shakespeare Festival St. Louis' sparkling 1950's update of THE TAMING OF THE SHREW, audiences at the Muny get the unique opportunity to compare and contrast the original with the musical remake as KISS ME KATE takes the stage in wondrous fashion. The chance to hear a swinging ensemble play Cole Porter's terrific score is reason enough to take in this production of Kiss Me Kate, but when you add in the eye-catching costumes, enthusiastic performances and lively dance numbers, you have the complete package.

The 2011 Muny Season kicked off this week with the Muny premiere of LEGALLY BLONDE (June 20 - 26). Next, the Cole Porter favorite KISS ME, KATE (June 27 - July 3) will grace the stage. Following will be the Muny and St. Louis premiere of Disney's THE LITTLE MERMAID (July 6 - 14), opening Wednesday, and featuring 2 extra performances! Tapping its way across the Muny stage next will be SINGIN' IN THE RAIN (July 18 - 24). Complete casting for KISS ME, KATE has been announced!

The 2011 Muny Season kicked off this week with the Muny premiere of LEGALLY BLONDE (June 20 - 26). Next, the Cole Porter favorite KISS ME, KATE (June 27 - July 3) will grace the stage. Following will be the Muny and St. Louis premiere of Disney's THE LITTLE MERMAID (July 6 - 14), opening Wednesday, and featuring 2 extra performances! Tapping its way across the Muny stage next will be SINGIN' IN THE RAIN (July 18 - 24). Complete casting for KISS ME, KATE has been announced!

Two River Theater Co. will present Neil Simon's Tony nominated romantic comedy: BAREFOOT IN THE PARK, directed by Two River Founder and Executive Producer, Robert M. Rechnitz. Barefoot in the Park runs through Sunday, February 28.

Two River Theater Co. will present Neil Simon's Tony nominated romantic comedy: BAREFOOT IN THE PARK, directed by Two River Founder and Executive Producer, Robert M. Rechnitz. Barefoot in the Park begins previews on Tuesday, February 9, opens Saturday, February 13, and runs through Sunday, February 28.

Two River Theater Co. will present Neil Simon's Tony nominated romantic comedy: BAREFOOT IN THE PARK, directed by Two River Founder and Executive Producer, Robert M. Rechnitz. Barefoot in the Park begins previews on Tuesday, February 9, opens Saturday, February 13, and runs through Sunday, February 28.

Porter, Shakespeare, and Veloudos are a winning combination as the Lyric Stage Company of Boston kicks off its 36th season

Glimmerglass Opera has announced that Lisa Vroman will sing the role of Lilli Vanessi/Kate, and Brad Little will sing Fred Graham/Petruchio in the company's 2008 summer production of Cole Porter's Kiss Me, Kate. The production opens the Glimmerglass Opera Festival Season on July 5 at the Alice Busch Opera Theater in Cooperstown, New York, and runs through August 23.

Currently in Anyone Can Whistle at the Prince Theater, Chuck sounds off on his career, Dracula and more.