Brush Up Your Shakespeare TheatreWorks Premieres the Classic Tony Award-Winning Musical ‘Kiss Me, Kate’ on September 25

NEW MILFORD, CONN. (September 14, 2009) – On Friday, September 25 at 8 p.m., TheatreWorks New Milford opens the classic musical comedy, KISS ME, KATE, with Music and Lyrics by the legendary Cole Porter and book by Bella & Samuel Spewack. The show is scheduled for a five-week run.

KISS ME, KATE is based on William Shakespeare’s “The Taming of the Shrew” and centers on big-time actors Lilli Vanessi (Priscilla Squiers, Danbury) and Fred Graham (Tom Sheehan, Bethel). The formerly-married, constantly battling couple is now forced to reunite for a new musical version of “Shrew.” Their onstage tussles as Shakespeare’s Katherine and Petruchio are nothing compared to their offstage affairs, backstage brawls, and hilarious misunderstandings. As time goes by the couple realizes, much like the characters in the original play, that they are hopelessly bound to each other.

“The show is arguably one of the most beloved backstage musicals of all time,” said director and choreographer Bradford Blake of New Milford. “It’s easy to see why the show has endured for over 60 years: William Shakespeare penned the basis for the story, the score was composed by the immortal Cole Porter and, in our case, we have a crackerjack cast of talented musical performers. Not to mention, we have the impeccable production design team that TheatreWorks New Milford always brings to the table.”

“Every season, we try to offer at least one enduring, feel-good show that the whole family can enjoy and clearly KISS ME, KATE fits the bill,” said producer and TheatreWorks president Richard Pettibone of New Milford. “I’m not tooting my own horn when I say to audiences to ‘get your tickets now.’ Already, two performances are sold out and ticket orders are going through the roof. It’s becoming clear that a lot of folks want to see this classic and we don’t want anyone to miss out.”

KISS ME, KATE is under the musical direction of Arnie Gross of Southbury who, among other accomplishments, conducted the original Broadway company of ANNIE from 1978 through 1983.

Rounding out the cast are some of the region’s finest performers: Trisha Carr (Orange); Mark Feltch (Newtown); Steve Michelsson (Patterson, NY); Matthew Farina (New Fairfield); Ron Dukenski (Goshen); Billy Hicks (New Milford); Jonathan Ross (Thomaston); Tom Denihan and Kim Sanders (both Waterbury); Janina Reiner and Janice Gabriel (both Brewster, NY); Brad Kimmelman, Jeff Porper, and Shannon- Courtney Porper (all Ridgefield).

The crew includes technical director Scott Wyshynski of Washington, set designer Glenn R. Couture of Ansonia, costume mistress Renee C. Purdy of Watertown, and stage management by Alexis Ortiz of New Milford.

KISS ME, KATE originally premiered on Broadway at The New Century Theatre on December 30, 1948 and went on to win five Tony Awards, including Best Musical. The New York Times called the show a “thoroughly enjoyable musical comedy.”

KISS ME, KATE runs September 25,26 October 2,3,4  9,10,11  16,17,18  23,24. Curtain time is 8:00 p.m. Fridays & Saturdays, with 2:00 p.m. Sunday matinees on October 4, 11, and 18. Tickets for all shows are $28 for reserved seating.

PLEASE NOTE: THE SATURDAY, OCTOBER 3 SHOW IS SOLD OUT AND THE SUNDAY, OCTOBER 18 SHOW IS A FUNDRAISER FOR THE THEATRE BUILDING MAINTENANCE FUND WHERE LIMITED TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE AT $40 EACH.

On Thursday, September 24, senior citizens are invited to a free dress rehearsal at 8:00 p.m. Thursday, October 1 at 8:00 p.m. is TheatreWorks’ Pay-What-You-Want night. At this performance, you name the price for your ticket.

Reservations can be made online at WWW.THEATREWORKS.US or by calling the box office at (860) 350-6863.

TheatreWorks is an award-winning, local theatre company located on 5 Brookside Avenue, just off Route 202 (next to the CVS), in New Milford, CT.