Show Synopsis

The music and lyrics are by Cole Porter and the book by Sam & Bella Spewack. The great Cole Porter poured a huge amount of his best music into Kiss Me Kate. The score scintillates with hits like ‘Wunderbar”, “Always True To You In My Fashion”, “Why Can’t You Behave”, “Too Darned Hot” a great stream of lovely melody allied to words by the wittiest lyricist America ever produced.

The Story of Kiss Me Kate

The Story Back-Stage in Baltimore

Actor/Manager Fred Graham and his ex-wife, movie star Lull Vanessi, are to play the leads in a musical version of Shakespeare’s The Taming of the shrew, which he is producing. Fred is currently attracted to his new protegée, cabaret artiste Lois Lane, making her Sharespearian debut as Bianca. Lilli is engaged to wealthy politician, Harrison Howell who she has persuaded to back the show to the tune of $200,000. Lilli feels snubbed by Fred’s attentions to Lois at the curtain-calls rehearsal.

Lois Lane’s long-term cabaret partner Bill Calhoun is to play the role of Lucentio. Bill, an inveterate gambler, has missed the final rehearsal because of a card-game at which he has signed a marker for $10,000 to cover his losses. Hard-up as usual he has used his new boss Fred Graham’s name and not his own, hence confusion ensues when two gangsters arrive to see about collecting the debt.

Lilli received flowers from Fred, a replica of her wedding bouquet and for a while wonders whether their divorce had been a mistake. When she discovers from the card with the flowers that they were intended for Lois, she storms off to play the role of Katherine, the shrew, with more than usual zest.

The Story on Stage in Padua

Baptista Minola, a wealthy merchant, has two daughters, the fair Bianca and Katherine knows as Kate. Bianca, is wooed by three ardent suitors: Gremio, Hortensio and Lucentio, but as the younger daughter, she cannot wed until a husband has been found for her sister. No easy task since Kate’s reputation as a shrew is well known in Padua. Petruchio arrives from Verona with the express intention of finding a wealthy wife. He is warned of Kate’s ill-temper by Lucentio but since Kate is rich the warning counts for nought!

Happy Endings

In Petruclo’s attempt to tame Kate, Fred find that art holds up a mirror to life reflecting his stormy relationship with Lilli. With the two stores inextricably intertwined Lilli threatens to walk out of the show to marry Harrison. Surprisingly, it is the gangsters who help to save the day.