Norm Lewis Completes Company of Roundabout's KISS ME, KATE Benefit

Roundabout Theatre Company welcomes Norm Lewis as "Harrison Howell," completing the all-star cast of Kelli O'Hara (Lilli Vanessi), Will Chase (FrEd Graham), Robert Fairchild (Bill), Heléne Yorke (Lois), Chuck Cooper (Harry Trevor/Baptista), Richard Kind (Gangster) and John Pankow (Gangster) in a one-night-only Benefit Concert Reading of Kiss Me, Kate, with music and lyrics by Cole Porter and book by Sam and Bella Spewack, music direction by Patrick Vaccariello and choreography by Warren Carlyle. Roundabout's Associate Artistic Director, Scott Ellis, will direct this special event.

The cast will also include Amber Iman, James Lane, Cameron Adams, Phillip Attmore, Preston Truman Boyd, Will Burton, Derrick Cobey, Jesmille Darbouze, Rick Faugno, Leslie Donna Flesner, Jenifer Foote, Jessica Lee Goldyn, Nathan Keen, Michael Lowney, Marissa McGowan, Linda Mugleston, Hayley Podschun, Aaron Ramey.

The creative team includes David Rockwell (Set Design), Jeff Mahshie (Costume Design), Donald Holder (Lighting Design), Brian Ronan (Sound Design) and John Barrett (Hair & Make-up Design).

The Benefit Concert Reading will take place on Monday, December 12, 2016 at 7:30 PM at Studio 54.

Proceeds from the Benefit Concert Reading of Kiss Me, Kate support Roundabout Theatre Company's many programs and initiatives, including the Musical Theatre Fund which has allowed Roundabout to produce acclaimed musicals such as She Loves Me, Company, Nine, The Pajama Game, Sunday in the Park with George, Anything Goes, On the Twentieth Century, Into the Woods, The Robber Bridegroom and this season's Holiday Inn, The New Irving Berlin Musical.

The reading brings back Roundabout alum and Tony winner Kelli O'Hara who was nominated for her role in the 2008 revival of The Pajama Game opposite Harry Connick, Jr. She also participated in a Benefit Concert reading of She Loves Me in 2011 directed by Scott Ellis. Another alum, Will Chase, also returns to Roundabout after his Tony-nominated turn in 2012's The Mystery of Edwin Drood. Chuck Cooper joins the cast following his turn in Roundabout's revival of The Cherry Orchard. Richard Kind and John Pankow also return to Roundabout following Kind's Tony-nominated role in 2013's The Big Knife and Pankow's role in Scott Ellis' hit revival of Twelve Angry Men.

In Cole Porter's sparkling 1948 musical, the warring lovers of The Taming of the Shrew are causing trouble both onstage and off. While putting on a musical version of Shakespeare's play, exes FrEd Graham and Lilli Vanessi can't decide if they're enraged, enamored, or enormously confused whenever they cross paths out of character. Throw in some mistaken identity, a pair of surprisingly eloquent gangsters, and a whole lot of romantic entanglements, and what you get is a dazzling classic that earned the first-ever Tony award for Best Musical.

Norm Lewis (Harrison Howell). Broadway: The Phantom of the Opera, The Gershwins' Porgy & Bess (Tony, Drama Desk, Drama League, Outer Critics Circle nominations), Sondheim on Sondheim, The Little Mermaid, LES MISERABLES, Chicago, among many others. West End: Javert in LES MISERABLES. Upcoming Off- Broadway: Sweeney Todd. TV: PBS "Live From Lincoln Center's Showboat", "Norm Lewis: Who Am I?," & "New Year's Eve: A Gershwin Celebration", "American Voices," PBS Special "First You Dream - The Music of Kander & Ebb", VH1 series "Daytime Divas" (upcoming), "Chicago Med", "Gotham", "The Blacklist", "Blue Bloods", "Scandal". Film: Winter's Tale, Sex and the City 2, Confidences, Preaching to the Choir. Upcoming: Magnum Opus.

VIP, Benefactor and Producer tickets include admission to an exclusive cast party following the performance. The evening is co-chaired by Roundabout Board members Michael T. Cohen, Colliers International LLC and Roxanne and Scott Bok, along with Leadership Council members Patrick Crosetto and Paula Dominick.

Tax-deductible benefit tickets are available by calling Roundabout's Development Office at 212-719-9393 ext. 369.

Underwriter Package at $100,000 ($97,060 tax-deductible) - Includes ten premium house seats in center orchestra; listing as an Underwriter on all posters, programs and press materials below show title; invitation to exclusive pre-show cast and crew dinner for all ten guests; reserved seating at post-show cast party; a complimentary cocktail at intermission.

Gold Sponsor Package at $50,000 ($47,640 tax-deductible) - Includes eight premium house seats in center orchestra; listing as an Underwriter on all posters, programs and press materials below show title; invitation to exclusive pre-show cast and crew dinner for all eight guests; reserved seating at post-show cast party; a complimentary cocktail at intermission.

Silver Sponsor Package at $25,000 ($23,220 tax-deductible) - Includes six premium house seats in center orchestra; listing as an Underwriter on all posters, programs and press materials below show title; invitation to exclusive pre-show cast and crew dinner for all six guests; reserved seating at post-show cast party; a complimentary cocktail at intermission; a limited edition; framed show poster signed by the company.

Producer Ticket(s) at $5,000 ($4,720 tax-deductible) - Includes premium house seat in center orchestra; complimentary cocktail at intermission; reserved seating at post-show cast party and a limited edition; framed show poster signed by the company.

Benefactor Ticket(s) at $2,500 ($2,220 tax-deductible) - Includes premium house seat in center orchestra; complimentary cocktail at intermission; invitation to attend post-show cast party and a limited edition; framed show poster signed by the company.

VIP Ticket(s) at $1,000 ($740 tax-deductible) - Includes premium seat in orchestra; complimentary cocktail at intermission; an invitation to attend post-show cast party.

To purchase tickets at the VIP level and above, or to learn more about Underwriter Packages, please contact Lane Hosmer at laneh@roundabouttheatre.org or by calling 212-719-9393 x312.

Select orchestra and mezzanine tickets ($150-$500) are available to the general public by calling Roundabout Audience Services at (212) 719-1300 or online at www.roundabouttheatre.org/kissmekate.