MOUNT CARMEL TOWNSHIP - Mount Carmel Area Junior-Senior High School will hold its spring production "Kiss Me, Kate" at 7:30 p.m. April 1 and 2 in the school's Richard F. Beierschmitt Auditorium.
Only Cole Porter and Bella and Sam Spewack could do Shakespeare one better, and this they do with "Kiss Me, Kate," a rollicking version of the Old Bard's "The Taming of the Shrew." "Kiss Me, Kate" is a play within a play; a structure that Shakespeare himself implemented to heighten the comedy in his works. This alluring Spewack and Porter version switches back and forth between the stormy backstage romance and the theatrical onstage antics of a divorced but still-in-love couple - Fred Graham, the show's producer and leading man, and Lilli Vanessi, his ex-wife and star.
The troupe comes together in Baltimore to try to figure out Fred's musical version of "The Taming of the Shrew." "Kiss Me, Kate" takes place in virtual real time, as the musical of Shrew runs parallel to the offstage conflicts of the divorced-yet-still-infatuated Fred and Lilli. This clever plot calls for the players to have dual roles, and thus the couple play parts of the prowling Kate and swashbuckling Petruccio.
The subplot to Lilli and Fred's relationship is the rocky romance of Lois, a helpless flirt, and her dance partner and incurable gambler, Bill. Lois and Bill's roles are enlivened by their performances as Bianca and Lucentio.
To add to the uproarious delight, two gangsters arrive to collect Bill's gambling debt, but end up as part of the show. The themes of love, jealousy, mistaken identity and a misdelivered message elevated "Kiss Me, Kate" to a Broadway classic and perennial crowd pleaser fifty years after its Broadway debut.
"Kiss Me, Kate's" musical numbers range from the upbeat "Another Op'nin', Another Show" to Kate's classic "I Hate Men" and the boisterous "Brush Up Your Shakespeare." Other classics include "Why Can't You Behave?" "So In Love," "Too Darn Hot," "Were Thine That Special Face" and "Always True To You (In My Fashion)."
"Kiss Me, Kate" is a musical about love and taking risks. It is full of laughter, double entendres and theatrical romance Porter style. This show is the perfect opportunity to bring Shakespeare and Porter to the cast, crew and audience.
All seats are reserved for the production. Reserved tickets are $10 for main floor seating and $8 for rear auditorium seating. Tickets will be available at the door on the dates of the performance or in advance by calling the Mount Carmel Area Junior-Senior High School athletic office at 339-1500 ext. 3125. For more information, contact Sharon L. Styer, musical director, at 339-1500 ext. 3153 or styers@mca.k12.pa.us