Kiss Me Kate

Although this backstage musical based on Shakespeare’s “The Taming of The Shrew”, has recently been revamped and revived, it has not lost the wit of the original.  Written by husband and wife team Bella and Sam Spewack, it inspired great memorable numbers by Cole Porter ranging from comedy to haunting ballads. In opening at Ford’s Theatre, Baltimore, Marie Hannigan provided a strong lead as Hattie in “Another Op’nin’ Another Show”, effortlessly tackling the various key changes.  James Cassidy and Maureen Todd took centre stage as Fred (Petruchio) and Lilli (Katherine, the ‘Shrew’) both characterising their parts well and together provided a romantic “Wunderbar”. I also particularly enjoyed Maureen’s beautiful presentation of “So in Love”. Jennifer McGowan provided a charming performance as Lois (Bianca) and was joined by Ray O’Sullivan as her ne’er-do-well gambler and boyfriend Bill Calhoun who runs afoul of two dim gangsters played by Robert Kirkham and Craig Prentice, who gave an entertaining “Brush Up Your Shakespeare” with a soft shoe shuffle. Hortensio and Gremio were well played by Stephen Rattigan and Gary Young.  John McKenzie presented a dignified Harrison Howell and Laurie Thompson made a suitably Shakespearean Baptista with Anne-Marie Simpson cast as the Stage Manager. Although this show may not have the popularity that it once enjoyed, the audience certainly responded well by acknowledging the performances provided from the entire company, ably supported by an accomplished group of musicians in the pit.

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.