The Chagrin Falls Studio Orchestra and Chagrin Valley Little Theatre join to present a ‘concert performance’ of Cole Porter’s classic musical comedy, Kiss Me, Kate. The full 27-member Studio Orchestra will be on stage with the singer / actors in a lightly staged full production. Featuring a special guest appearance by ELEVĀTED Dance Company, 1st place winner 2022 of World of Dance Competition.
Kiss Me, Kate includes well-known songs like “Another Op’nin’, Another Show”, “So In Love” and the ever popular “Brush Up Your Shakespeare” – performed by the two wacky gangsters (Don Bernardo and Eric Oswald) stealing the show as they chase the leading lady around the theater!
Kiss Me Kate tells the tale of two once-married, now-divorced musical theater actors, egotistical leading man Fred Graham and Lilli Vanessi, who are forced to perform opposite each other in a Broadway-bound musical version of William Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew, in the roles of Petruchio and Katharina.
As the battle of the sexes continues onstage and off, it becomes clear that as much as this couple professes to hate each other, they are also still in love. Throw a number of cases of mistaken identity, some gangsters, and additional romantic entanglements into the mix.
Musical Director/Conductor: Stephen A. Eva
Stage Director: Michael J. Rogan
Choreographer: Howard Washington
Producer: Nancy Rogoff
Stage Manager: Helen Rizi
Vocalists:
Philip Formes as Fred/Petruchio
Cassie Utt as Lilli/Katharine
Alexandria Petsche as Lois/Bianca
Tom Jones as Bill/Lucentio
Michael J. Rogan as Gunman 1
Don Bernardo as Gunman 2
Sydney Noelle Warren as Hattie
with Kim Bixenstine, Christine Katsaras, Julian Kruyne, and Robb Muzzy