Broadway By The Bay does nothing half way. “Kiss Me Kate” delvers a strong cast and orchestra that brings this musical into the present. When the first notes of Cole Porter’s music hit the audience the spell is cast and you are in for a special ride.
“Kiss Me Kate’s” musical conductor Dolores Duran-Cefalu (who doubles on the keyboard) leads some well trained musicians through one Porter’s most clever, delightful scores.
Old standards like “Another Op’nin, Another Show”, “Why Can’t You Behave”, “Wunderbar”, “Too Darn Hot”, “Brush Up On Your Shakespeare”, “I Hate Men”, “Always True To You In My Fashion” and of course “Kiss Me Kate” will bring a new generation into Porter’s world.
“Kiss Me Kate” (almost 70 years old) was one of Porter’s most successful shows. It ran for more than 1000 performances and was translated into a dozen languages for performances worldwide. To quote Walter Kerr in one of his first reviews, “the score is one of the loveliest and most lyrical yet composed for the contemporary stage”.
“Kiss Me Kate” tells a duo story of a traveling company who is presenting a version of Shakespeare’s Taming Of the Shrew. It is a play within a play where each cast member’s on-stage life is complicated by what is happening off stage.
Annie Shapiro (Lilli and Katherine) and Daniel Cameron (Fred and Petruchio) take on the lead roles with bright, strong voices. Director Milissa Carey moves a large solid cast in two directions. Scenic Designer Andrew Kaufmann, Lighting Designer Michael Ramsaur, Costume Designer Valerie Emmi and Choreographer Nicole Heifer bring tie in this fast moving musical with delightful enthusiasm.
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Parking is a snap, great restaurants abound and there is not the hassle of the long trip to San Francisco.
Broadway By The Bay is starting their 51st season in March 2016 with “Miss Saigon” followed by Rogers and Hammerstein’s “Oklahoma”, and “Million Dollar Quartet” in August..
Broadway By The Bay is the musical theatre goers dream.
Camille Bounds is the theatre and arts columnist for the Morgan Hill Times and the Gilroy Dispatch. She can be reached at [email protected].
‘Kiss me Kate’
Where: Fox Theatre
2215 Broadway Street
Redwood City
Through: Nov 22
Running Time: 2 hours and 40 minutes with one intermissions
Tickets: $47-$69
For reservations and information: 650-579-5565
Or visit: broadwaybythebay.org
