Kiss Me, Kate – About the Show
Highlights of Kiss Me, Kate – Must-See Moments
Timeless Cole Porter songs that became jazz standards
Since its 1949 premiere, the songs of Kiss Me, Kate by composer Cole Porter have been covered by countless artists and are now celebrated as jazz standards.Signature numbers like “Too Darn Hot,” “Another Op’nin, Another Show,” and “So in Love” became classics performed by legendary vocalists such as Patti Page and Ella Fitzgerald, spreading around the world as staples of the jazz repertoire.
Kelli O’Hara returns to Broadway in this limited-run revival
The 2019 Broadway revival of Kiss Me, Kate, staged from February 14 to June 2, starred acclaimed actress Kelli O’Hara. Known for her award-winning performance in the 2015 revival of The King and I opposite Ken Watanabe, O’Hara brought her remarkable voice and stage presence to this classic Cole Porter musical, making the production one of the season’s most anticipated highlights.
The first musical to win the Tony Award for Best musical
The Tony Awards, Broadway’s highest honor, were first presented in 1947. By the 3rd Annual Tony Awards in 1949, several new categories had been added, including Best musical. The first-ever winner of that award was Kiss Me, Kate, marking a historic moment in Broadway history.
One of the original cast members, Bob Fosse, went on to become a legendary choreographer, director, actor, and filmmaker, earning 8 Tony Awards and 11 nominations throughout his career until his passing in 1987.
Kiss Me, Kate – Show info
Show details of Kiss Me, Kate
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Previews: February 14, 2019 Opening: March 14, 2019 Closing: June 30, 2019 |
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Show Links: |
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Type of the show: Emotional・Touching Stunning Songs Stunning Dance Tony Award Winner |
Kiss Me, Kate – Story
The Plot / Summary of Kiss Me, Kate
The leading actress, Lilli, and leading man, Fred, are a recently divorced couple whose constant bickering and pride drove them apart. While Fred is romantically involved with a young actress named Lois, Lilli is seeing a wealthy general.
During rehearsals, Lilli receives a lavish bouquet of flowers. Believing they are from Fred, she beams with delight – only to discover that the flowers were actually meant for Lois. Furious, she storms out, threatening to quit the show entirely.
As chaos erupts backstage, matters get worse when gangsters arrive to collect on Fred’s debts. With creditors breathing down his neck, Fred must do everything in his power to coax Lilli back on stage and ensure the success of the performance…
Kiss Me, Kate – Movie
The YouTube trailer of Kiss Me, Kate
This is a promotional video for the Broadway musical “Kiss Me, Kate.” You can see scenes from the stage featuring song and music.
Kiss Me, Kate – Explore, FAQ
Behind the Scenes of Kiss Me, Kate
Created with music and lyrics by jazz legend Cole Porter
This revival is based on the original 1949 score composed by Cole Porter and the book by Bella and Samuel Spewack, who also worked on the 1953 film adaptation. For this new Broadway production, direction is by Scott Ellis and choreography by Warren Carlyle, who won the Tony Award for Best Choreography for the 2014 musical After Midnight.
One of the highlights is the show-stopping dance number “Too Darn Hot,” brought to life with Carlyle’s dynamic choreography.
About Cole Porter
June 9, 1891 – October 15, 1964 | American Composer and Lyricist
Born in Indiana, Porter studied violin and piano from a young age. After graduating from Yale and briefly attending Harvard, he pursued a career in music. Though his early Broadway work struggled, he gained success in Europe before returning to New York in the 1920s.
His major hits include the 1932 musical Gay Divorce and the 1949 masterpiece Kiss Me, Kate, which won the Tony Award for Best musical. Many of his songs are now considered jazz standards and remain timeless classics performed around the world.
Inspired by Shakespeare’s comedy The Taming of the Shrew
Kiss Me, Kate is a backstage musical comedy inspired by Shakespeare’s 1594 play The Taming of the Shrew. The story follows a divorced couple performing in a musical version of the classic, blending their off-stage drama with the on-stage comedy. Themes of love, social status, and marriage have made it a blueprint for countless adaptations in opera, ballet, film, and theater worldwide.
The third Broadway revival of Kiss Me, Kate
Since its 1949 premiere, the musical has been performed worldwide, including productions in Japan by the Takarazuka Revue and Toho Company in the 1960s. At the 3rd Annual Tony Awards, the original won Best musical along with three other categories. The first Broadway revival came in 1952, and the 1999 revival at the Martin Beck Theatre was a huge success, earning 10 Tony Awards including Best Revival of a Musical, with 12 nominations overall.
This 2019 revival marks the third time the show has returned to Broadway, almost two decades later, and once again drew strong Tony Award buzz as one of the most anticipated productions of the season.
Kiss Me, Kate – FAQ
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Can I buy tickets for Kiss Me, Kate (Broadway show) on the day of the show?
Tickets are available for purchase until the day before the show through our booking page. See more details about Kiss Me, Kate tickets.
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How much are tickets for Kiss Me, Kate (Broadway show)?
Tickets for the Broadway musical Kiss Me, Kate start at $61 with our discounted prices. See more details for Kiss Me, Kate tickets.
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Is the English in Kiss Me, Kate (Broadway show) hard to understand?
The musical Kiss Me, Kate has a slightly higher level of English difficulty. We recommend reading the synopsis before you go. For other recommended shows, please refer to the Broadway Musical Selection Guide. You’re sure to find a show you’ll love from among the many musicals in New York.
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Do you have a summary or synopsis of Kiss Me, Kate (Broadway show)?
The story and synopsis of the Broadway musical Kiss Me, Kate are introduced in the Kiss Me, Kate Story section. Reading this beforehand will help you easily understand the storyline.
Kiss Me, Kate – Audience Reviews
Review from Kuroda:
A Wonderful Theater Experience
The Cole Porter numbers alone were fantastic, but the colorful set design and costumes made the production even more enjoyable. Of course, the main reason I came was to see Kelli O’Hara. Hearing her live on stage was unforgettable, and when she appeared the spotlight was entirely on her. It was clear why she is such a celebrated Broadway star.
June 2, 2019
Review from Sakiko:
Kiss Me, Kate
I had seen the show once before in another country, and once again I was reminded of how much I love the song “So in Love.” It remains my favorite number in the musical.
April 16, 2019
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