Kiss Me, Kate at Town Theatre

Kiss Me, Kate

Music and Lyrics by Cole Porter Book by Sam and Bella Spewack

Brush up your Shakespeare because it’s almost time for “Another op’nin’, another show” and the kick off to Town Theatre’s 106th season! Kiss Me, Kate features a “show-within-a-show” structure, with actors portraying both themselves and characters in a musical version of The Taming of the Shrew.

At the center is Fred Graham, portrayed by Town newcomer Jonathan Kupper, the show’s director, producer and star, who finds himself clashing (and flirting) with his ex-wife, leading lady Lilli Vanessi, in the capable hands of Shelby Sessler (Something’s Afoot). Their onstage roles as Petruchio and Katharine mirror their real-life love-hate relationship, sparking fireworks behind the curtain and in the spotlight. Adding to the chaos are Lois Lane, taken by Karly Minacapelli Shorter (West Side Story), the ingénue with dreams of stardom, and her boyfriend Bill Calhoun, played by another new face at Town, Stephen Fisher, a lovable gambler whose troubles land the couple in hot water with a pair of bumbling gangsters. Town’s comically menacing thugs are Nathan Wright and Jeffrey Sigley (both from Something’s Afoot). Kayla Nagy Welch (White Christmas), portrays Hattie, Lilli’s quick-witted dresser and confidante, while Will Dowd (Spamalot) charms as Fred’s loyal assistant, Paul. And we can’t forget Harrison Howell, Lilli’s wealthy fiancé, acted by Richard Fisher (White Christmas) whose plans for a picture-perfect life are no match for the chaos of show business.

The ensemble features a talented mix including Hudson Freeman and Benjamin McIver (both of The Sound of Music), Jordan Wise (in her Town debut), Maddie Freeman (Les Mis: Student Edition) and Blaize Berry (Once Upon a Mattress: Youth Edition). Nathan Dawson, Tracey Lease, Chris Matney and Peyton Rabon (all recently seen in Spamalot) return to the stage alongside Gillian Lease (Something’s Afoot). Agnes Babb, Emily Banks and Taryn Wilhoit Davis are “swimming over” from this summer’s The Little Mermaid, with Christy Shealy Mills and Kristy Satterwhite “just off the boat” from Anything Goes.

The show is directed by Marybeth Berry with music direction by Katie Gatch and choreography by Joy Alexander. Set design is by Bob Bramhall, technical direction by Jeremy Hansard with technical assistance from Mario Micallef. Costumes are provided by Jillian Bigony, lights by Jeremy Hansard, stage management by Annika Phillips and props by Gina Janvrin.

The show runs September 12-28 with tickets on sale September 2 at towntheatre.com. Want to get your tickets before the public? Be a Town Theatre member and you can do just that! AND you will save money over cash box office ticket prices.

KISS ME, KATE is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Tams-Witmark LLC. www.concordtheatricals.com. KISS ME, KATE is presented by arrangement with TAMS-WITMARK. www.tamswitmark.com