Tonight Mary, Ellen, Sue, David and I saw a fabulous production of Cole Porter's Kiss Me Kate at Barrington Stage.
I saw the original Broadway production in 1950, my first year in New York City, at the Schubert Theatre. Patricia Morrison and Alfred Drake were the stars. It was probably one of the first Broadway shows I ever saw.
Elizabeth Stanley Paul Anthony Stewart
Tonight's production had all the energy and fun of the original. Elizabeth Stanley and Paul Anthony Stewart led tonight's proceedings with vigor and good strong voices. Mara Davi was Lois Lane/Bianca, Tyler Hanes was Bill Calhoun/Lucentio, Matthew Bauman, Paul, Carlos Lopez and Michael Dean Morgan, the two gangsters (who stopped the show with 'Brush up your Shakespeare) and a chorus of agile and attractive singers and dancers who lit up the stage with their energy and talent. Every moment was one of delight.
The music and lyrics by Cole Porter include one great song after another. This show is from the days when you actually went out humming the tunes. And what great tunes. Porter's sophistication and humor invested every song with gaiety and class. It is a great musical.
The sets and lighting were excellent and an enthusiastic audience enjoyed every moment.
This is what a Broadway show is supposed to be.
