Village Light Opera Group Presents KISS ME KATE Beginning 4/25

The Village Light Opera Group(VLOG), one of the country's premiere theatre companies specializing in both operettas and Broadway musicals, will present Cole Porter's KISS ME KATE at The Fashion Institute of Technology's Haft Auditorium on April 25-26 and May 1-3.

A musical within a musical, KISS ME KATE is a delightful marriage of Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew with one of Cole Porter's most memorable and beloved scores. It tells the story of the embattled FrEd Graham and Lilli Vanessi, formerly husband and wife, who are now playing Petruchio and Katherine in a musical version of the Shakespearean battle of the sexes. Tensions between the ex-couple are brought to a boil by Fred's relationship with the sexy ingénue Lois (who plays Bianca), who is also involved with hoofer Bill Calhoun (playing Bianca's love interest, Lucentio). Life and art intersect to create chaos and romance on a grand scale, both onstage and off.

Porter's Tony-winning score features such classic songs as Too Darn Hot, Another Op'nin', Another Show, So in Love, Brush Up Your Shakespeare, Wunderbar and Tom, Dick or Harry.

Featured in the VLOG cast of 50+ actor/singer/dancers are Karen Mason as Lilli/Kate, Bruce Rebold as Fred/Petruchio, Bj Hemann as Bill Calhoun/Lucentio and Amanda Marcheschi as Lois/Bianca.

Director/choreographer Tony Spinosa, a veteran of both Broadway and regional theater, has received awards throughout the United States for his productions of West Side Story, Cats, Brighton Beach Memoirs, Biloxi Blues, Broadway Bound, The King & I and Fame: The Musical. His work has been noted by critics in most major cities around the country. Musical director and VLOG veteran Debbie Litwak will conduct a full orchestra for this production.About VLOG - "New York's Hometown Theater Group."

Founded in 1935, the all-volunteer Village Light Opera Group, Ltd. (VLOG) is a recognized staple of New York City's cultural life and a ‘family' that embraces the city's dramatic arts and musical talent.

Originally formed to offer Gilbert & Sullivan classics to the Greenwich Village community, VLOG has since greatly expanded both its repertoire and its audience. Now Broadway hits such as The Music Man and The Most Happy Fella and light opera classics like The Desert Song and The Merry Widow are performed along with Gilbert & Sullivan's offerings at the 750-seat Haft Auditorium of the Fashion Institute of Technology. Each of VLOG's twice-annual shows is a highly polished production incorporating more than 50 cast members.

VLOG brings together performers who share a passion for creating excellence in live theater. The eclectic mix includes theater veterans, current and former theater professionals as well as individuals with professional training in theater arts. A rigorous casting process, along with careful selection of the production staff, ensures total commitment to a professional quality production. VLOG members all serve multiple capacities, whether by building sets, making costumes or working on publicity, ticket sales and marketing. For the members of the Village Light Opera Group, each production is truly a labor of love. 

Tickets for KISS ME KATE range from $20.00 to $45.00, making the VLOG production a great entertainment option at recession-buster prices, well below those commanded for Broadway musicals.

Tickets are now available by phone (212.352.3101) and at the door.

Performances: April 25, May 1 & 2 at 8:00 and April 26 & May 3 at 2:00

Fashion Institute of Technology Haft Auditorium: 227 West 27, NY, NY

 

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