Photo Flash: Sneak Peek at Mike McGowan and Anastasia Barzee in KISS ME, KATE, Coming to The Old Globe

The Old Globe and Hartford Stage's co-production of Kiss Me, Kate, the classic musical comedy featuring a book by Sam and Bella Spewack and an iconic score by Cole Porter, will be choreographed by Peggy Hickey and directed by Hartford Stage Artistic Director and former Old Globe Shakespeare Festival Artistic Director Darko Tresnjak, who won the 2014 Tony Award for Best Direction of a Musical for A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder, which made its world premiere at The Old Globe and Hartford Stage in 2013. The Hartford Stage engagement runs May 14 - June 14; The Old Globe engagement will begin performances on July 1 and run through August 2, with opening night on Thursday, July 9 at 8:00 p.m. Scroll down for a first look at the cast in action!

Fresh off his Tony Award-winning smash, A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder, Darko Tresnjak returns to the Globe to helm one of the greatest romantic musical comedies of all time. Cole Porter's witty and high-spirited songs will transport you into the wings as a touring company gets ready to open a musical version of The Taming of the Shrew, starring a divorced couple whose offstage battles threaten to bring down the curtain. This beloved classic features show-stopping dance numbers, Shakespeare-quoting mobsters, and a knockout score including "Another Op'nin', Another Show," "Wunderbar," "So In Love," and "Brush Up Your Shakespeare." Get ready for a sizzling summer evening that's simply "Too Darn Hot"!

Mike McGowan (Priscilla Queen of the Desert on Broadway) and Anastasia Barzee (Urinetown on Broadway) star as former lovers and reluctant co-stars Fred/Petruchio and Lilli/Kate. The cast also features Brendan Averett as Second Man (The Killer at Theatre for a New Audience), Joel Blum as First Man (Tony Award nominee for Show Boat and Steel Pier), Giovanni Bonaventura as Hortensio (Cinderella on Broadway), Robert Hannon Davis as Ralph (A Christmas Carol-A Ghost Story of Christmas at Hartford Stage), Charity Angel Dawson as Hattie (Side Show on Broadway), Tyler Hanes as Bill/Lucentio (A Chorus Line on Broadway), James T. Lane as Paul (The Scottsboro Boys on Broadway), Barrett Martin as Gremio (Side Show on Broadway), Robin Masella as a Dancer (Chicago national tour), Shina Ann Morris as a Dancer (Cinderella on Broadway), Jane Papageorge as a Dancer (Hair at the Hollywood Bowl), Wayne W. Pretlow as Pops/Priest (The Most Happy Fella at City Center Encores!), Megan Sikora as Lois/Bianca (Curtains on Broadway), Michael Starr as Phillip (Guys and Dolls in L.A.), Jeff Steitzer as Harry Trevor/Baptista Minola (The Front Page at Long Wharf Theatre), Johnny Stellard as Nathaniel (Evita on Broadway), and Nick Wyman as General Harrison Howell (original cast of The Phantom of the Opera). Cast subject to change.

The creative team also includes Kris Kukul (Music Director), Alexander Dodge (Scenic Design), Fabio Toblini (Costume Design), Philip S. Rosenberg (Lighting Design), Jonathan Deans (Sound Design), Binder Casting (Casting), and Anjee Nero (Production Stage Manager).

Tickets to The Old Globe's engagement of Kiss Me, Kate will are currently available only as part of a Season Package. Subscription prices for the 2014-2015 Summer Season range from $97 to $346. Subscription packages may be purchased online at www.TheOldGlobe.org, by phone at (619) 23-GLOBE or by visiting the Box Office at 1363 Old Globe Way in Balboa Park. Single tickets go on sale Friday, May 22 at 12 noon.

Photo Credit: T. Charles Erickson