“Kiss Me, Kate” is a musical comedy loosely inspired by Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew. The performances at Penn State will feature the students in PSU’s renowned musical theater program. And one of the on-campus performances–scheduled for 7:30 pm on November 9–has been particularly arranged to appeal to Paterno Fellows. Come!
The show, set in Baltimore and not England, is one of the most popular ones to ever appear on Broadway. It has had over 1000 performances in New York, and its 1999 revival won several Tony Awards. Here’s how it’s described by the Penn State theater program: “Cole Porter’s wit meets Shakespeare’s humor in one of American Theater’s most beloved musical comedies. Kiss Me Kate is the raucous and romantic backstage story of a musical that goes out of town in 1948. It’s “Too Darn Hot’ in Baltimore where formerly married actors Fred and Lilli are cast opposite each other in a musical version of ‘The Taming of the Shrew.’ The sparks fly onstage and off using a classic score which includes ‘So in Love,’ ‘Another Op’nin’, Another Show,’ ‘From This Moment On,’ and ‘Brush Up Your Shakespeare.'”
One of the special appeals for Paterno Fellows is the price–just $5. (Paterno Fellows and aspirants can purchase a ticket for themselves and for one guest.) Another of the appeals is a post-show “cast party” that will give Paterno Fellows a chance to meet the student-performers after the show, right in the lobby of the Playhouse Theater, over some nice food and drink. (Those who take advantage of this offer are expected to attend the cast party.) So that we will know how much food to order, you must reserve your ticket (and the ticket of any guest) ahead of time–write to Jack Selzer at jls25@psu.edu.
Finally, the Director of the show (Travis DeCastro) is making it possible for students who wish–this part is completely optional–to get a preview of the show at 5:30 pm. If you’d like, you can hear him give an overview of Cole Porter’s career (“Kiss Me, Kate” saved his career), and you’ll be invited backstage to hear about the sets, the costumes, and the special challenges presented by the production.