BWW Reviews: Cole Porter Lives at Pasadena Playhouse with KISS ME KATE

Kiss Me Kate/book by Sam & Bella Spewack/music & lyrics by Cole Porter/directed by Sheldon Epps/Pasadena Playhouse/through October 12

Cole Porter's Kiss Me Kate is a timeless, delightful musical romp that can be seen again and again. It's an overblown, joyous account of two egotistical actors, once married to each other, who adore one another but just cannot be around each other very long without catastrophic, calamitous results. It's also a play within a play, as Lilli Vanessi (Merle Dandridge) and Fred Graham (Wayne Brady) are on tour essaying Katharine and Petruchio in Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew. Above all, the silly contrived story is overshadowed by Cole Porter's divine score with some of the most glorious tunes ever composed. Kiss Me Kate is a showcase to Porter's genius. The current revival at Pasadena Playhouse, although not any better than any of the other fine local revivals as of late, does boast the comical presence of Wayne Brady and the stunning talent of Merle Dandridge..

The tall statuesque Dandridge heads the ensemble as Kate/Lilli with a lovely strong voice and firm sense of who she is at all times. Kate is assuredly verbal and must be able to express how she feels without hesitation. Dandridge is elegance personified... a divine choice. Sharing top billing with her as Graham/Petruchio is Wayne Brady, multiple Emmy-winning TV star, whose charisma, charm and steady baritone assure a commanding performance. Equally wonderful are the supporting players. Joanna A. Jones as Lois/Bianca is a mover with a savvy quick-wit and and has her shining moment with "Always True to You in My Fashion"; Terrance Spencer is appealing as her beau Bill/Lucentio; Steve Perren is deliciously droll as General Harrison Howell. Brad Blaisdell and David Kirk Grant move the audience to a frenzy as the two thugs trying to collect on an I Owe You.Their comedic "Brush Up Your Shakespeare" is a surefire winner. Rogelio Douglas Jr. and Jennelle Lynn Randall as backstage servants Paul and Hattie steal their moments especially in their grande dancing in Act II's opener "Too Darn Hot". It sizzles. Under Sheldon Epps' smooth direction, the small compact ensemble dance beautifully with steadily skillful choreography from Jeffrey Polk. Rahn Coleman serves wonderfully as musical director. John Iacovelli has designed a typically drab looking 1948 backstage dressing room space with colorful touring backdrops for the Shrew sequences, and David K. Mickelsen's period costumes suit the bill.

Deliriously beautiful Cole Porter masterpieces include: "Another Op'nin, Another Show", "Wunderbar", "So In Love", "I Hate Men", "Were Thine That Special Face", "Too Darn Hot", "From This Moment On", and of course the title song "Kiss Me Kate". Then there's also the gorgeous "Were Thine That Special Face". Porter was a genius composer and, unlike many show composers since, his songs work to heighten the score and equally stand on their own as individual hits. You can leave the theatre really humming these tunes. When was the last time you could say that about a contemporary musical?

I was a tad disappointed with the first act opener "Another Op'nin". I found it far too slow, and I just wanted more gusto and panache overall, but the second act's "Too Darn Hot" makes up for it particularly due to the sensuous moves and presence of the aforementioned Douglas and Randall. Dandridge is a dream presence onstage and her "I Hate Men" is not over the top as I am used to seeing it performed. She is much more low key, nonchalant and free, but using her voice rather than props to punctuate each "I Hate Men". What eminates is just the right amount of sassy conviction and indomitable feeling to make the number dazzle. Brady's personality and delicious sense of humor are his best attributes and he makes them work to the max in Act II's fun "Where Is the Life That Late I Led?"

...Kate is a battle of the sexes show that has it all: great songs, great dance, great physical and verbal sparring for the two actors playing Kate and Petruchio, and a lightweight delightfully silly plot to make it thoroughly enjoyable. If you have never seen Kiss Me Kate, you owe it to yourself to catch this excellent production before October 12.

http://www.pasadenaplayhouse.org/

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