“Another Op’nin, Another Show!”
TheatreWorks New Milford Opens the Classic Tony Award-Winning Musical ‘Kiss Me, Kate’ on Friday
Yes! We’re so happy we can finally use that song title in direct relation to the show we’re presenting. For the few of you who don’t know, Another Op’nin, Another Show is the opening number in Cole Porter’s Tony Award-Winning musical, Kiss Me, Kate, which opens Friday at TheatreWorks New Milford.
And for the rest of you good folks who are still in the dark: “Another Op’nin” at TheatreWorks means – as always – a night of FREE champagne and hors d’oeuvres for everyone in attendance – exclusively for opening night theatergoers. It’s one of the many ways we try to say “thank you” to all our wonderful patrons.
Now a little more on the show:
Kiss Me, Kate is based on William Shakespeare’s “The Taming of the Shrew” and centers on big-time actors Lilli Vanessi (Priscilla Squiers) and Fred Graham (Tom Sheehan). The formerly-married, constantly battling couple is now forced to reunite for a new musical version of “Shrew.” Their onstage tussles as Shakespeare’s Katherine and Petruchio are nothing compared to their offstage affairs, backstage brawls, and hilarious misunderstandings. As time goes by the couple realizes, much like the characters in the original play, that they are hopelessly bound to each other.
Rounding out the cast are some of the region’s finest performers: Trisha Carr, Mark Feltch, Steve Michelsson, Matthew Farina, Ron Dukenski, Billy Hicks, Jonathan Ross, Tom Denihan, Kim Sanders, Janina Reiner, Janice Gabriel, Brad Kimmelman, Jeff Porper, and Shannon- Courtney Porper.
“The show is arguably one of the most beloved backstage musicals of all time,” said director and choreographer Bradford Blake of New Milford. “It’s easy to see why the show has endured for over 60 years: William Shakespeare penned the basis for the story, the score was composed by the immortal Cole Porter and, in our case, we have a crackerjack cast of talented musical performers. Not to mention, we have the impeccable production design team that TheatreWorks New Milford always brings to the table.”
“Every season, we try to offer at least one enduring, feel-good show that the whole family can enjoy and clearly Kiss Me, Kate fits the bill,” said producer and TheatreWorks president Richard Pettibone of New Milford. “I’m not tooting my own horn when I say to audiences to ‘get your tickets now.’ Already, two performances are sold out and ticket orders are going through the roof. It’s becoming clear that a lot of folks want to see this classic and we don’t want anyone to miss out.”
Kiss Me, Kate is under the musical direction of Arnie Gross of Southbury who, among other accomplishments, conducted the original Broadway company of ANNIE from 1978 through 1983.
The crew includes technical director Scott Wyshynski of Washington, set designer Glenn R. Couture of Ansonia, costume mistress Renee C. Purdy of Watertown, and stage management by Alexis Ortiz of New Milford.
Kiss Me, Kate originally premiered on Broadway at The New Century Theatre on December 30, 1948 and went on to win five Tony Awards, including Best Music & Lyrics for Cole Porter, Best Book for Sam & Bella Spewack, and Best Musical. The New York Times called the show a “thoroughly enjoyable musical comedy.”
TW Kids Broadway By The Book
Starts this Saturday; Sign-Up Online Now
Broadway By The Book is a revue of some of the best Broadway music ever to make the leap from page to stage! Scenes and songs that began in literature take life on stage. Shows introduced include Phantom of the Opera, Les Miserables, Oliver, Little Women, Wicked, The Secret Garden, and Peter Pan to name just a few.
Program Starts Saturday, September 26th, 9:00am to 12:00pm.
Staff: Beth Bonnabeau, Joe Harding, and Mikki Harkin.
Current Production
September 25th - October 24th
Fridays & Saturdays 8:00 PM
Sundays 2:00 PM
$28.00 Reserved Seating
October 3rd - Sold Out!
Sunday Brunch & Show Benefit, October 18th - Tickets $40
Calling All Actors
AUDITIONS this Monday and Tuesday for…
September 28 & 29 from 7-9 PM
TheatreWorks New Milford is seeking a cast of five men, age 25 to 65, and four women, age 25 to 55, for this Holiday comedy by playwright Alan Ayckbourn.
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TheatreWorks New Milford
5 Brookside Ave. / PO Box 836
New Milford, CT 06776
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