Kiss Me, Kate

Kiss Me, Kate on Broadway Background

Kiss Me, Kate is back on Broadway after nearly a twenty year hiatus! This classic comedy tells the story of a theatre company putting on a musical version of Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew. The show's narcissistic director and producer, Fred, and the star of the show, his movie star ex-wife, Lilli, must find a way to work together despite unresolved feelings, a love triangle, and unsettled gambling debts.

Kiss Me, Kate was written by husband-and-wife team Samuel and Bella Spewack (Leave It To Me!, My Three Angels), with music and lyrics by Cole Porter (Anything Goes, Fifty Million Frenchmen). The show was inspired by legendary Broadway husband-and-wife actors Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne. Broadway producer Saint Subber observed the on-and-off stage disputes of the Lunt-Fontanne’s during their 1935 production of The Taming of the Shrew. More than a decade later he approached the Spewack’s, who were facing their own marital difficulties, to write the show. Bella started the project solo, but eventually enlisted her husband’s help and they finished the book together. The show made its Broadway debut in 1948 and won five Tony Awards, including the first award for Best Musical. The musical was revived on Broadway in 1999 and won five Tony Awards, including Best Revival of a Musical.

What’s Kiss Me, Kate Like?

Kiss Me, Kate cleverly weaves comedy and levity into an otherwise uncomfortable story of a divorced couple working together. The show brilliantly uses excerpts of a musical adaptation of Shakespeare to set the comic tone. The audience is also introduced to another squabbling couple. One of the other actresses, Lois, is struggling with her relationship after her gambling addict boyfriend gets into trouble with gangsters, who end up onstage during the show demanding Fred repay the debt. Shakespeare's onstage passion translates backstage for these actors as Fred falls for Lois. Cole Porter is at his best with hit songs such as "Too Darn Hot" and "So In Love."