Award-winning “˜Kate’ to open on L.A. stage
By Daily Bruin Staff
Aug. 12, 2001 9:00 p.m.
 Shubert Theatre Rachel York and
Rex Smith star in the award-winning musical "Kiss
Me, Kate" that will open at the Shubert Theatre on August 24.
By Laura Morgan
Daily Bruin Contributor
Los Angeles may be “too darn hot” for the next eight
weeks as the multiple award-winning Broadway musical, “Kiss
Me, Kate,” makes its way to the Shubert Theatre.
Having won five Tony Awards in 2000 and six Drama Desk Awards,
“Kiss Me, Kate” ensures a night of comedy and
spontaneity.
Set backstage during a tryout for a musical based on
Shakespeare’s “The Taming of the Shrew,”
self-centered Fred Graham and his ex-wife, Lilli Vanessi, find
themselves constantly fighting. And like many Shakespearean
comedies, with the arguing comes the romance.
As one of Broadway’s most beloved musicals, “Kiss
Me, Kate” offers witty lyrics by Cole Porter, whose big hits
include “Another Op’nin’, Another Show,”
“Too Darn Hot” and “Brush Up Your
Shakespeare.” The music, which was written for the
musical’s original opening date in 1948, has a jazzy, classic
sound.
“Cole Porter was one of the wittiest and most urbane
musicians,” said Rex Smith, who plays lead characters Fred
Graham and Petruchio, in a recent phone interview from his Dallas
hotel. “He represents a time in America when there was a
drive toward sophistication and that sort of 1930s dreamy
let’s-get-out-of-the-depression sort of thing.”
The show’s cast is experienced in working in large scale
productions. Rex Smith has also starred in other Broadway hits such
as “Grease!,” “The Pirates of Penzance” and
most recently, “The Scarlet Pimpernel,” alongside
Rachel York.
York, who in this production plays Lilli Vanessi and Katharine,
received the Drama Desk Award for Best Featured Actress in
“Victor/Victoria,” and also appeared in the original
cast of “City of Angels.” However, this isn’t
York’s first encounter with the roles of Lilli Vanessi and
Katharine.
“I got my big break when I was 17,” York said.
“(“˜Kiss Me, Kate’) was my first professional
production, and the woman who was playing Kate got ill, and I was
the only one who could sing the role given about two days time. It
was one of the scariest things in my life, but it was also exciting
at the same time.”
While being known for its fantastic score, “Kiss Me,
Kate” also includes a tremendous amount of impressive
footwork. When the dancing is put together with other elements of
the musical, things can get pretty difficult.
“I would have to say that the dance in this particular
version of the show is some of the hardest technical choreography
that I’ve seen in a while,” said Randy Donaldson, who
plays Paul, Petruchio’s dresser, during a phone interview
from his hotel. “I think being able to execute the dance
steps, being able to sing the songs, and being able to speak the
Shakespeare well is what makes this show difficult.”
For the actors, the presence of director Michael Blakemore, has
made all the difference. Blakemore made history at the 2000 Tony
Awards when he received two awards for his direction of both a
musical (“Kiss Me, Kate”) and a play
(“Copenhagen”).
“I’ve never seen a very good production of
“˜Kiss Me, Kate.’ I was leery but Michael Blakemore has
done miracles, so I’m very fortunate to be doing this
production,” York said.
Those involved in the production are confidant that it does
justice to the legacy of the 1948 original. Since its tour began in
2001, “Kiss Me, Kate” has received nothing but
praise.
The show promises to draw a variety of audiences, including the
college circle. Its intelligence and wit not only serve it in the
aspect of being a classical musical comedy, but its choreography
and memorable music also lend to its humor, sex appeal and facts
about life.
“Here’s the thing,” Smith said.
 “It’s not the production you did in junior high
school. This is not the production that you saw at the community
art house when you were growing up. This is as well directed, as
Tony Award-winning as you can get … It’s Cole Porter and
it’s comedy served up in world-class style by Michael
Blakemore.”
THEATER: “Kiss Me, Kate” previews
Aug. 22 and 23 at the Shubert Theatre in Century City. Opening
night is Aug. 24, and the show runs through Oct. 13. Performances
are Tuesday through Saturday at 8 p.m., Saturday and Sunday at 2
p.m. and Sunday at 7:30 p.m. Ticket prices run between $35 and $65
for preview nights and between $40 and $70 for the regular run.
Tickets can be purchased through Tele-Charge at 1-800-447-7400 or
at www.telecharge.com.
