Kiss Me, Kate

Music by Cole Porter

Lyrics by Cole Porter

Synopsis

Kiss Me, Kate is a musical that intertwines the onstage and offstage drama of a theater company performing a musical adaptation of William Shakespeare's 'The Taming of the Shrew.' The story follows Fred Graham, the director and leading man, and his ex-wife Lilli Vanessi, who stars opposite him as Katherine. Their tumultuous relationship mirrors the fiery romance of their characters in the play. Meanwhile, a secondary romance unfolds between Lois Lane, the actress playing Bianca, and her gambler boyfriend Bill Calhoun. Chaos ensues when Bill signs Fred's name on a gambling IOU, leading to the involvement of two comical gangsters. As the lines between their real lives and their roles blur, the characters navigate love, jealousy, and reconciliation, culminating in a joyous finale.

Characters

  • Fred Graham / Petruchio (lead)
  • Lilli Vanessi / Katharine (lead)
  • Lois Lane / Bianca (supporting)
  • Bill Calhoun / Lucentio (supporting)
  • First Man (featured_ensemble)
  • Second Man (featured_ensemble)
  • Hattie (featured_ensemble)
  • Paul (featured_ensemble)
  • General Howell (featured_ensemble)
  • Ralph (featured_ensemble)

Musical Numbers

  • Another Op'nin', Another Show
  • Why Can't You Behave?
  • Wunderbar
  • So in Love
  • We Open in Venice
  • Tom, Dick or Harry
  • I've Come to Wive It Wealthily in Padua
  • I Hate Men
  • Were Thine That Special Face
  • Cantiamo d'Amore