CONTACT:
Ronn Goswick Director of Public Relations and Marketing
4350 E 7th Street
Long Beach, CA 90804
562-856-1999 ex 6 fax:562-859-1997
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MUSICAL THEATRE WEST CONCLUDES 51st SEASON WITH COLE PORTER'S KISS ME, KATE

May 10, 2004 Musical Theatre West concludes its 51st season with KISS ME, KATE, playing at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center July 10 - 25, 2004. Tickets are available at the Musical Theatre West Box Office located at 4350 E 7th Street, Long Beach. Starring in this production is David Engel in the role of Fred Graham.

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 updated version won five Tony Awards in 2000, including Best Revival of a Musical.

KISS ME, KATE will be directed by Rick Sparks and choreographed by Jane Lanier with musical direction by Stephen Gothold. Rick Sparks recently took home the LADrama Critics Circle Award as Best Director for his production of A CLOCKWORK ORANGE. Other award winning productions include THEY SHOOT HORSES, DON'T THEY? and PSYCHO BEACH PARTY as well as CLUTTER currently running at the Colony Theatre. Jane Lanier is a Tony Award nominee for her performance in JEROME ROBBINS BROADWAY. Her choreographic credits include JOHNNY GUITAR currently running at the Century Theatre in NY as well as local productions of GUYS AND DOLLS, PAJAMA GAME, and A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC. Stephen Gothold has been a part of the MTW family for SHOWBOAT, FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, WEST SIDE STORY and 42nd STREET.

TICKET INFORMATION
Tickets prices for KISS ME, KATE at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center range from $35.00 to $47.00 Children under 12 are $20.00 to any performance. Student and Senior rush tickets are available for $20.00 one hour prior to curtain. Public rush tickets are available ten minutes prior to curtain (subject to availability) for $10.00. Group Discounts for parties of 12 or more are available by calling the Group Sales Department at 562-856-1999 ex 5. All tickets are available by calling the Box Office at 562-856- 1999 ex 4, at the Box Office in person at 4350 E 7th Street, Long Beach (cross street is Ximeno) or online at www.musical.org.

SCHEDULE
KISS ME, KATE show times are Thurs., Fri. and Sat., 8 p.m.; Sat. and Sun., 2 p.m.(no matinee Sat., 7/10 and added performance on Sun., 7/18 at 7 p.m.). The performance on July 18, 2004 at 7:00 PM is a Hearing Impaired performance.

LOCATION
The Richard and Karen Carpenter Performing Arts Center is located at 6200 Atherton St, Long Beach on the campus of California State University, Long Beach. For information and tickets call the Musical Theatre West Box Office at 562-856-1999 ex 4. The Musical Theatre West Box Office is located at 4350 E 7th Street, Long Beach, Ca 90804. Box Office hours: 11:00 AM Ð 6:00 PM Monday through Friday. PLEASE NOTE - TICKETS ARE NOT SOLD AT THE CARPENTER PERFORMING ARTS CENTER.

PRESS NIGHT: Saturday, July 10, 2004. Call 562-856-1999 ex 6 to RSVP for Press tickets (Ronn Goswick) or email

Editors: pre-production photos are available by clicking HERE.

Musical Theatre West is a non-profit 501(c)3 corporation