Kiss Me, Kate

Kiss Me, Kate is a musical written by Samuel Spewack and Bella Spewack with music and lyrics by Cole Porter, based on The Taming of the Shrew by William Shakespeare. The musical premiered on Broadway at the New Century Theatre in 1948, starring Alfred Drake and Patricia Morison, and was directed by John C. Wilson. It was also performed at the West End's Coliseum Theatre in 1951, featuring George Bryan and Billie Worth. The show's success led to numerous productions, including a Broadway revival in 1999, directed by Michael Blakemore and starring Brian Stokes Mitchell and Marin Mazzie.

Background

The idea for the musical was conceived by Samuel Spewack and Bella Spewack, who were inspired by the Shakespearean play The Taming of the Shrew and the Bard's other works, such as A Midsummer Night's Dream and The Merchant of Venice. The Spewacks collaborated with Cole Porter, who was known for his work on Anything Goes and DuBarry Was a Lady, to create the music and lyrics. The show's book was also influenced by the works of Noël Coward and Oscar Wilde. The musical's themes of love, relationships, and the theatre were reflected in the works of other playwrights, such as Tennessee Williams and Arthur Miller. The show's development was also shaped by the Ziegfeld Follies and the MGM musicals of the time, featuring stars like Judy Garland and Gene Kelly.

Plot

The musical tells the story of a theatre company producing a musical version of The Taming of the Shrew, with Fred Graham playing Petruchio and his ex-wife Lilli Vanessi playing Kate. The story is set in Baltimore and features a cast of characters, including Lois Lane and Bill Calhoun, who are playing Bianca and Lucentio in the show. As the story unfolds, the characters' on-stage and off-stage relationships become intertwined, with Fred Graham and Lilli Vanessi rekindling their romance. The plot is also influenced by the works of Oscar Hammerstein II and Richard Rodgers, who were known for their collaborations on Oklahoma! and South Pacific. The show's characters and storylines are also reminiscent of the works of George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart, who wrote You Can't Take It with You and The Man Who Came to Dinner.

Music

The musical features a range of songs, including Too Darn Hot, So in Love, and Brush Up Your Shakespeare. The music was written by Cole Porter, who was known for his witty and sophisticated lyrics, as seen in his other works, such as Night and Day and I Get a Kick Out of You. The show's score was also influenced by the works of George Gershwin and Irving Berlin, who were known for their contributions to the Great American Songbook. The musical's songs have been performed by numerous artists, including Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, and Dinah Washington. The show's music has also been featured in various Hollywood films, such as Singin' in the Rain and Anchors Aweigh, starring Gene Kelly and Debbie Reynolds.

Production_history

The musical premiered on Broadway at the New Century Theatre in 1948, directed by John C. Wilson and starring Alfred Drake and Patricia Morison. The show was a critical and commercial success, running for 1,077 performances and winning the Tony Award for Best Musical. The show was also performed at the West End's Coliseum Theatre in 1951, featuring George Bryan and Billie Worth. The musical has been revived numerous times, including a Broadway revival in 1999, directed by Michael Blakemore and starring Brian Stokes Mitchell and Marin Mazzie. The show has also been performed at various regional theatres, such as the Guthrie Theater and the Steppenwolf Theatre Company, featuring actors like Gary Sinise and John Malkovich.

Adaptations

The musical has been adapted into a film in 1953, starring Howard Keel and Kathryn Grayson, and directed by George Sidney. The film was produced by MGM and featured a range of songs from the musical, including Too Darn Hot and So in Love. The musical has also been adapted into a television special in 1958, starring Alfred Drake and Patricia Morison, and directed by George Schaefer. The show's music has also been featured in various stage productions, such as My One and Only and City of Angels, which were inspired by the works of Cole Porter and Cy Feuer.

Reception

The musical received widespread critical acclaim, with The New York Times praising its "wit, charm, and sophistication". The show's music was also praised, with The New Yorker describing it as "a masterpiece of Cole Porter's art". The musical won the Tony Award for Best Musical in 1949, and its Broadway revival in 1999 won the Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical. The show's success has been attributed to its witty and sophisticated lyrics, as well as its strong cast of characters and engaging storyline, which were influenced by the works of Noël Coward and Oscar Wilde. The musical has also been recognized by the American Theatre Wing and the Drama Desk Awards, and has been performed at various theatres and festivals, including the Shakespeare Festival and the Spoleto Festival USA.