6 hours ago
Review: 'Kiss Me, Kate' a Diverting Summer Spectacle
Joe Siegel READ TIME: 3 MIN.
Granite Theatre has come up with a sparkling production of the Cole Porter musical "Kiss Me Kate." The show debuted in 1948 and has been revived on Broadway numerous times.
A theater troupe is rehearsing a musical version of Shakespeare's comedy "The Taming of the Shrew." The director and leading man, Fred Graham (played with charm by Brandon Tallardy), finds himself falling back in love with his leading lady, Lilli Vanessi (Moriah Perrett), who also happens to be his ex-wife. Fred plays Petruchio and Lilli is Katherine, the woman who needs to be tamed. Tensions between the two spill over into their performances of Petruchio and Katherine, threatening to derail the entire show.
A subplot involves Paul (Trey DiGioia), Fred's dresser, who gets in deep with a very bad man and signs Fred's name to an IOU. Soon after, some shady men (Marc Bernier and Carl Lord) arrive and force Lilli to stay in the show, even though she is desperate to get out.
Tallardy and Perrett have an electrifying chemistry in their scenes. Fred and Lilli's relationship mirrors that of Petruchio and Katherine (Kate). When she throws a stool at Petruchio, it's Lilli's inner rage coming out after seeing a note Fred intended for another woman. She hates him because she loves him.
Source: Photos courtesy of Granite Theatre
There's a terrific moment when Lilli is preparing to run off with Harrison Howell (Chris Lund), a big-time Washington power broker, and Fred subtly insinuates how miserable her life will be living on Harrison's Southern estate. He's acting not out of jealousy, but out of affection.
The Porter songs are vibrant, and complement the story perfectly. "Another Op'nin, Another Show" kicks things off in a joyous fashion. Perrett shines on the stingingly comedic "I Hate Men" and the climactic "I Am Ashamed That Women Are So Simple."
Tallardy delivers a powerhouse vocal on "I've Come to Wive it Wealthily in Padua," and Tallardy and Perrett are utterly charming on their duet, "Wunderbar."
Liza Tanenbaum also exhibits a sexy seductiveness as Lois Lane (not the one from "Superman"), who doubles as Bianca, Kate's younger sister in "The Taming of the Shrew." She shines on the romantic "Tom, Dick, or Harry" and the ballad "Bianca."
Source: Photos courtesy of Granite Theatre
Bernier and Lord are a pure delight on "Brush Up Your Shakespeare," an affectionate tribute name-checking several Shakespeare plays.
The Act 2 opening dance number, "Too Darn Hot," featuring the men in tight T-shirts, radiates passion and lust on a blazing summer night. It's a real showstopper featuring well-executed choreography designed by Director Nicole DiMattei.
Tallardy, a senior at the University of Rhode Island making his stage debut, makes for a charismatic leading man. He and Perrett, also making her debut at Granite, are clearly made for the stage. These are two performers to keep an eye on in the future.
Overall, "Kiss Me Kate" provides plenty of enjoyment.
"Kiss Me, Kate" runs through August 3 and the Granite Theatre, 1 Granite St., Westerly, RI. Runtime is two hours, 25 minutes with intermission. For tickets, call the box office at 401-596-2341 or visit www.granitetheatre.org
Joe Siegel has written for a number of other GLBT publications, including In newsweekly and Options.