Kiss Me Kate at Summer Theatre of New Canaan

Music & Lyrics by Cole Porter
Book by Sam and Bella Spewack

Creative Team
Director - Allegra Libonati
Choreographer - Doug Shankman
Music Director - Kenneth Gartman
Set Design - Julia Noulin-Merat

Cole Porter's longest running Broadway show, Kiss Me Kate is a musical version of "The Taming of the Shrew" that is about to open in Baltimore. In the show with producer- actor Fred Graham are his former wife, Lilli; Lois, a singer in whom he is interested; and Bill Calhoune, who is Lois's interest. The irresponsible Bill informs Lois that he has signed Fred's name to a 10,000 dollar IOU for gambling debts. She begs him to reform. Fred and Lilli patch up their differences as they reminisce nostalgically about other shows in which they have appeared together. Fred sends a bouquet to Lois, which is delivered in error to Lilli. On stage as Katherina, Lilli discovers that the bouquet was meant for Lois and threatens to leave the show. Her departure is prevented by two gangsters who have come to collect the IOU with Fred's signature. As the first Act ends she is raging, both in character and reality.

Petruchio although just married to Katherina, and beginning his tempestuous wedded life, begins to yearn for his life as a single man. Because of a sudden change in gang administration the gangsters tear up the now worthless IOU and Lilli prepares to walk out on the show as Fred muses on his love for her. The gangsters sing the always show-stopping Brush Up Your Shakespeare. As the show comes to close, Lilli unexpectedly returns and in Katherina's words expresses her intention of returning to her husband.