A SCREENING TO PUCKER UP FOR
Following an acclaimed summertime run at London’s Barbican Theatre, the cinema release of the smash-hit production KISS ME, KATE brings the magic of this musical masterpiece to an even wider audience around the world, playing in U.S. cinemas beginning November 17. Tickets are available now at Kiss Me Kate Cinema
During its three-month summer residency, audiences flocked to see this showstopper of a musical thrill with its exhilarating performances from Adrian Dunbar (Line of Duty, Ridley) in his musical theater debut as Fred Graham/Petruchio, and Broadway musical superstar and Tony Award winner Stephanie J. Block (Into The Woods, The Cher Show) in her West End debut as Lilli Vanessi/Katharine.
Stephanie J. Block & Adrian Dunbar
The musical farce, winner of Best Musical at the Tony Awards, is a sophisticated, ferociously funny, show within a show which whisks you into a world of backstage chaos and romantic entanglements as a theatre company attempt to put on a production of Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew. The battle of the sexes takes center stage as former spouses feud, only to find the off-stage antics rival the drama on-stage. Throw in a number of cases of mistaken identity, confused love, gangsters and a spectacular tap routine, and the result is the unparalleled delight of the first production ever to win the Tony Award for Best Musical.
The Company
Directed by Tony Award winner Bartlett Sher, with music and lyrics by Cole Porter and book by Sam and Bella Spewack, KISS ME, KATE is sexy and sassy with great songs, hot dancing and smart gags — a symphony of wit, charm and musical brilliance. The dazzling production has breathtaking choreography, show-stopping numbers and star-studded cast delivering unforgettable performances. Following the cinema Box Office success of The King and I and Anything Goes, this cinema presentation from Trafalgar Releasing promises to deliver the best of both worlds: the intimacy of live performance captured with the clarity and scale of film.
Peter Davison & Stephanie J. Block
The cast also features Charlie Stemp (Crazy For You, Mary Poppins) as Bill Calhoun and rising star Georgina Onuorah (The Wizard of Oz, Oklahoma!) as Lois Lane / Bianca. Hammed Animashaun (A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Black Ops) and Nigel Lindsay (Victoria, Shrek The Musical) are the singing hilarious gangsters and acting legend Peter Davison (Dr Who, All Creatures Great and Small) plays the role of the General. Featuring a company of over 50, including a full-scale orchestra, they perform Cole Porter classics such as “Another Op’nin’, Another Show’,” “Brush Up Your Shakespeare,” “Tom, Dick or Harry” and “It’s Too Darn Hot”.
Along with Bartlett Sher the team includes choreographer Anthony Van Laast, costume designer Catherine Zuber and set designer Michael Yeargan.
photos by Johan Persson courtesy of Trafalgar Releasing
