His butler mistakenly gives them to Lilli. Hermes Pan choreographed most of the dance routines. Lois's boyfriend, Bill Calhoun, is playing "Lucentio" in the play. Cole Porter insisted that the song be used in the film version. The play opens, with Fred, Lilli, Lois and Bill performing an opening number as a group of travelling performers ("We Open In Venice"). Petruchio sets about "taming the shrew", but later reminisces about his days of philandering ("Where Is The Life That Late I Led?"). This article is about the 1953 film. She departs anyway, with some remorse, leaving a dejected Fred to be cheered up by Slug and Lippy ("Brush Up Your Shakespeare"). "[12] Harrison's Reports called it "a lively and highly entertaining blend of comedy, music, dancing and romance. Fred Graham and Lilli Vanessi, a divorced couple, meet at Fred's apartment to hear Cole Porter perform the score for his musical version of The Taming of the Shrew, to be directed by Fred and called "Kiss Me Kate". Lois laments his bad-boy lifestyle ("Why Can't You Behave?"). Bianca has three suitors – Gremio, Hortensio and Lucentio – and each of them tries to win her over. Songs from Broadway Musical: Kiss Me Kate … They have no acting ability, but still manage to amuse the audience. Your generous donation helps us bring classics like Kiss Me, Kate to the stage. [17] However, its high production costs led to its incurring a loss of $544,000.[3]. Fred decides to accept the IOU and convinces Lippy and Slug that he needs them to keep Lilli from leaving the show so it will be successful enough for Fred to pay the debt. "[15] The Monthly Film Bulletin wrote, "The execution generally—sets, costumes, dance numbers, the Cole Porter songs—is pleasing, but the direction lacks flair and the film seems somewhat over-long. "[16], According to MGM records the film earned $2,011,000 in the US and Canada and $1,106,000 elsewhere, meaning a worldwide gross of $3,117,000, resulting in a gross profit of $1,136,000. In order to keep Lilli from leaving, Slug and Lippy appear on stage, disguised as Petruchio's servants. She sees that it is addressed to Lois, and attacks Fred/Petruchio mercilessly on stage, ad-libbing verbal abuse. Kiss Me, Kate Broadway, Kiss Me, Kate Original Cast List, Original Cast, Current Cast Our shows onstage are suspended due to COVID-19. "[13] John McCarten of The New Yorker was more dismissive, writing that it "does have some engaging tunes, but the book of the original has been so thoroughly laundered that little of the comedy, which ran to fairly bawdy stuff, remains, and Kathryn Grayson and Howard Keel, as a bickering theatrical pair compelled to play opposite each other in Shakespeare, are lacking in vital juices. Suddenly, Lilli reappears on stage, delivering Kate's speech about how women should surrender to their husbands ("I'm Ashamed That Women Are So Simple"). [2], Although Kiss Me Kate is often referred to as the first 3-D musical, Those Redheads From Seattle, also a 3-D musical, was released by Paramount Pictures on October 16. Inspired by The Taming of the Shrew, it tells the tale of musical theater actors Fred Graham and Lilli Vanessi, who were once married, and are now performing opposite each other in the roles of Petruchio and Katherine in a Broadway-bound musical version of William Shakespeare's play. Lilli is overcome by this romantic gesture, and doesn't notice the card ("So In Love (Reprise)"). Kiss Me Kate was previewed on October 15, 1953 in four locations, two in 3-D with stereophonic sound (in Columbus, Ohio, and at the Victory Theatre in Evansville, Indiana) and two in 2-D (Loew's theatres in Rochester, New York and Houston). They initially bicker, but are soon reminiscing about happier times. Lilli Vanessi (Katharine) Kiss Me, Kate - Musical. Lilli's understudy, Jeanie, is mentioned several times, but never appears. During the play's intermission, when Tex arrives to rescue Lilli from the theatre, he is recognized by Lois, with whom he once went on a date- though he doesn't recognize her. Australian actor Ron Randell was cast as Cole Porter.[6]. Lilli and Bill walk in on the scene and become furious. ("I Hate Men"). Sparkling with 18 classic Cole Porter songs including "Another Op'nin', Another Show," "Wunderbar," "So in Love," "Always True to You in My Fashion," "Too Darn Hot," and "Brush Up Your Shakespeare" this is Broadway musical comedy at its irresistible best. For every production, we create an UPSTAGE guide that features interviews with the production’s creative team members, contextual information about the play and teacher resources and activities to enhance your experience.