"Kiss Me Kate"

The John Burroughs Players will present Cole Porter’s “Kiss Me Kate” at 8 p.m., Thursday, February 25, Friday, February 26 and Saturday, February 27 in Haertter Hall.

“Kiss Me Kate” takes place as a play-within-a-play in which a musical version of Shakespeare’s “Taming of the Shrew” runs parallel to the offstage conflicts of a divorced, but still-in-love couple. The clever plot calls for the actors to play dual roles, and thus Lilli Vanessi, the ex-wife, plays Shakespeare’s prowling Kate, while Fred Graham, her ex-husband and producer of the show, plays swashbuckling Petrucio.

Musical numbers range from the upbeat “Another Openin’, Another Show” to “Too Darn Hot” and Kate’s classic “I Hate Men.”

The John Burroughs Players cast of 35 includes Whitney Weisman ’11 as Kate, Alex Prakken ’11 as Fred, Alexandra Petrullo ’10 as Lois Lane, Jordan Gudmestad ’10 as Bill, Thom Finley ’10 and Ian Nightingale ’10 as two gangsters, Robert Beckles ’13 as Gremio and Ian Fletcher ’12 as Hortensio. Sally Steuterman ’10 is the production stage manager.

“Kiss Me Kate” is directed by Wayne Salomon (Theatre; Speech/Debate), with choreography by freelance artist Millie Garvey. The set and light design is by Brian Connor (Industrial Technology; Theatre), and costume design is by freelance artist Lena-Marie Bell. Music director Tim Baker (Music) and vocal director Denise Stookesberry (Music) complete the production’s artistic team.

Tickets for “Kiss Me Kate” are $12 and are available in the Burroughs Bookstore beginning February 18. All seats are reserved.