The combination of Shakespeare and Cole Porter add up to the romantic comedy Kiss Me Kate, a musical staged by L.I.T.E. Productions opening Friday, June 21 at 8:00 p.m. at the Lamar Middle School Auditorium.
Kiss Me Kate is a romantic comedy that blends the plot of Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew with the music and lyrics of Cole Porter. Written by Bella and Samuel Spewack, Kiss Me Kate is a play-within-a-play, where each character's on-stage life is complicated by what is happening offstage.
The musical won four Tony Awards for Best Musical, Book, and Scenery (1948-49), and in 2000 won five Tony Awards for Best Revival, Orchestration, Director, Actor, and Costumes.
All performances will be held at the Lamar Middle School Auditorium, 2502 Galveston.
A special performance for all local media organizations will be presented Wednesday, June 19 at 8:00 p.m.
Opening night is Friday, June 21, at 8:00 p.m. Other performances of Kiss Me Kate are set for Saturday, June 22, Friday, June 28, and Saturday, June 29 at 8:00 p.m., and Sunday, June 23 and Sunday, June 30 at 3:00 p.m.
General admission tickets are $5.00.
Kiss Me Kate is directed by Spencer Oldham. Assistant director is Jacob Walters. Musical director is Dr. Joseph Crabtree, with assistant musical director Dana Crabtree.
The cast includes Dr. Joseph Crabtree as Fred Graham/Petruchio, Dana Crabtree as Lilli Vanessi/Katharine, Jessica Cardenas and Arianna Perez as Lois Lane/Bianca, Paul de la Peña as Bill Calhoun/Lucentio, John Maxstedt as Harry Trevor/Baptista, Josefina Molina as Hattie, Lilli's Assistant, Robert Orduna as Paul, Fred's Valet, Juan Luis Perez as Ralph, the Stage Manager/Nathaniel, Javier Aguilar as First Gangster, Mark Mackey as Second Gangster, Jay Solis as Bob, the Doorman/Gregory, Jacob Walters as Harrison Howell III, Tanis de Luna, Jr., as Cabdriver/Haberdasher, Jaime Medeles as Doctor, Kim Keller and Tacee Royce Walters as Nurses, John Wallace as Gremio, Sergio Davila as Hortensio, and Jaime Medeles as Philip. The chorus and residents of Verona are played by Kim Keller,Erica Matos, Margo Paz, Aracely Perez, Jessica Ramirez, Amanda Treviño, and Tacee Royce Walters.
Pianist for Act I is Dr. Mikolaj Korecki, DM, and Miss Young Feo, Act II.
Costume design is by Peggy Phelps, props and make-up by Diana Marcos, and lights by Miguel Bernal and Jose Barrientos. Set construction by crew chief John Flanagan, Miguel Bernal, Jacob Walters, and cast members.