Kiss Me, Kate is set in present time utilizing a mixture of contemporary and Shakespearean costumes and a Shakespearean set. Egotistical leading man, director, and producer Fred Graham is reunited with his ex-wife, Lilli Vanessi, when the two are forced to play opposite one another in a new production of Shakespeare’s Taming of the Shrew. The battle of the sexes continues onstage and off, as it becomes clear that, as much as this couple profess to hate each other, they are also still in love. Alongside their bickering liaison, the show’s supporting actress, Lois Lane, supports her gambling boyfriend, Bill, as he attempts to evade the clutches of local gangsters. Throw in a number of cases of mistaken identity, the mob, and comedic routines to the mix and you get Kiss Me, Kate.
Cast
- Conductor: Christine Patrick
- Fred Graham: Allan Foster
- Harry Trevor: Don Squire
- Lois Lane: Linda Dierkes
- Ralph: Scott W. Fields
- Lilli Vanessi: Patricia Searle
- Hattie: Rosalyn Thyssen
- Stage Doorman: Ted Rucinski
- Paul: Michael Dale
- Bill Calhoun: Alex Fernandez
- First Gangster: Carmen Sgarlata
- Second Gangster: Ted Peck
- Harrison Howell: David Perriman
“Taming of the Shrew” Players
- Bianca (Lois Lane): Linda Dierkes
- Baptista (Harry Trevor): Don Squire
- Gremio (First Suitor): Russell Palmer
- Hortensio (Second Suitor): Dave Charles
- Lucentio (Bill Calhoun): Alex Fernandez
- Katharine (Lilli Vanessi): Patricia Searle
- Petruchio (Fred Graham): Allan Foster
- Singing Chorus: Robert Banks, Madeline Codella, Susan Culver, Laura Depken, Ronald Fish, Ron Greene, Audrey Hoffman, Harry Loomis, Joe Phillips, Jack Ryan, Cindy Rydelnik, Michele Sausa-Gatta, Jenny Snyder, Joan Sticher, Bonnie Williams, Molly Wright
- Dancing Chorus: Nicole Chaufti, Andrea Costa, Rena Lewis, Lisa Palentreger, Ramone MacTiernan, Sev Moro
Production Team
- Producers: Joe Agostine, Jr. & Thelma Zeh
- Director: Jack Byrne
- Assistant Director: Peter J. Codella
- Music Director: Christine Patrick
- Choreographer: Marilyn Ramsey
- Set Design: Robert C. Farquharson
- Set Construction: Paul Croteau, Art Gauvreau & team
- Set Decorating: Bob Farquharson, Ginnie Mills & team
- Stage Manger: Varro Clarke
- Lighting Design & Execution: George Cain & team
- Sound: Chuck LaMalfa
- Costumes: Lyn Bernstein
- Make-up: Sally Farrell
- Wig and Hair Consultant: Carol Aulicino
- Properties: Elaine Fortune