The Boston Landmarks Orchestra and Commonwealth Shakespeare Company, along
with the entire Kiss Me Kate cast, look forward to this performance.
The play that inspired the musical, Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew, is a yarn
of many threads. Characters and plotlines intertwine to a clever – and sometimes
ridiculous – extent. But Kiss Me Kate adds yet another layer. If The Taming of the
Shrew is a play within a play, then Kiss Me Kate is a play within a play within a
musical.
Cole Porter’s ingenious creation requires a multitalented cast. Performers are called
upon to sing the music of one of America’s most sophisticated songwriters while
delivering lines by the greatest writer in the English language. There is a great deal
of humor and plenty of dancing. Moods swing abruptly from the satirical to the
deeply expressive. All of this provides ample opportunity to showcase Boston-based
actors of extraordinary and diverse talents.
We are privileged to have in our cast both elite members of Boston’s theater
community and fine emerging talent. We are especially honored by Kerry O’Malley’s
participation and her enthusiastic embrace of the production. We are delighted to
have been able to attract as our male lead a genuine star of the Broadway stage,
Marc Kudisch.
Central to our production is the ebullient and creative choreography of Yo-el
Cassell, resident choreographer of Commonwealth Shakespeare Company. We are
grateful for the support of Richard Ortner and the Boston Conservatory, and for the
impeccable musicianship of Timothy Steele. We are especially pleased that tonight
the music is front and center, beginning with the artistry of the musicians of the
Landmarks Orchestra performing the original sumptuous orchestrations of Robert
Russell Bennett.
with warmest wishes,
Christopher Wilkins
Music Director
Boston Landmarks Orchestra
Steven Maler
Founding Artistic Director
Commonwealth Shakespeare Company
