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July 10-25 , 2004

Book by BELLA & SAMUEL SPEWACK
Music & Lyrics by COLE PORTER

Directed by RICK SPARKS
Choreographer: JANE LANIER
Musical Director: STEPHEN GOTHOLD

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The unparalleled music of Cole Porter combines with the brilliance of Shakespeare in Kiss Me, Kate! Using the Bard's The Taming of the Shrew to create a play-within-a-play, Kiss Me, Kate combines hilarious backstage comedy with romance, sizzling dancing, and Cole Porter's finest score, including timeless songs like "Too Darn Hot," "Always True To You In My Fashion," "Another Op'nin', Another Show," "So In Love" and "Brush Up Your Shakespeare." This all-new version won five Tony Awards in 2000, including Best Revival of a Musical.

By Alessandra Djurklou - Staff Writer
PRESS TELEGRAM PREVIEW

Lyricist and composer Cole Porter is in the Hollywood spotlight just now, subject of the biographical movie "De-Lovely," his well-loved songs covered by every rock star from Sheryl Crow to Elvis Costello.
Complete PREVIEW

Kathleen Foley Special to the Times
Long Beach 'Kate' affirms Porter's genius

Based on the updated 1999 Broadway revival, Musical Theatre West's production of Cole Porter's "Kiss Me, Kate" at the Carpenter Center is well timed. Following as it does on the heels of a musical biopic about Porter's life, the show is a vivid affirmation of Porter's brittle yet enduring genius.
Complete Review

Alvin Randall for the Signal
Ramblin' Randall's Review

Ideally each number in a stage musical should achieve three things. Musical theater West's production of KISS ME KATE, at Carpenter Center, does at least that. Cole Porter composer/lyricist is the genius. Each number (even the scene-change ones) advances the plot - reveals the characters - elucidates the playwright's notions, plus of course, captivates the audience.
Complete Review

By Les Spindle for Backstage West
Kiss Me Kate

There's something exhilarating about a musical that gets right down to business. The 2000 Broadway revamp of Cole Porter's vintage tuner starts with a blast, presenting a combination overture/production number, "Another Op'nin', Another Show." Though this makes for a smashing kickoff, those titular lyrics don't apply to Musical Theatre West's rendition, which is hardly an also-ran. In their MTW debuts, award-winning local director Rick Sparks and acclaimed New York choreographer Jane Lanier share a serendipitous collaboration, resulting in a terrific production that revels in the old-fashioned virtues of a seldom revived Golden Age classic.
Complete Review

By Eric Marchese Special to the Register
Kissable 'Kate' Captures the Late 40's

Musical Theatre West in Long Beach melds the original and revival versions of the Cole Porter hit.

Had famed acting couple Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne not quarreled so tempestuously backstage during a 1935 production of "The Taming of the Shrew," the great "backstage" musical comedy "Kiss Me, Kate" might never have been born.
Complete Review

By James Scarborough Gazette Theater Critic
I have never trusted reality television's claims of unabridged and unedited, gritty life-as-lived reality.

This life-within-a-life is too contrived, too ratings-driven, and too much for me to stomach.

Better to stick to the literary version of a play within a play. And there is no better literary version than Musical Theatre West's epic production of Cole Porter's musical, "Kiss Me Kate," directed by Rick Sparks and choreographed by Jane Lanier.
Complete Review

By John Farrell Special to the Press-Telegram
Kisses for 'Kate'

Musical Theatre West production lively and Lovely

MTW'S production is fast, juicy, theatrical, appealing from start to finish, and it conveys in no uncertain terms Porter's brilliant genius with a rhyme, with innuendo, with romantic lyrics and with a brilliant melody.
Complete Review