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Not familiar with Kiss Me Kate?  Here's the story set in 1948:  A present day theatrical troupe is presenting Shakespeare ' s The Taming of the Shrew in Baltimore, Maryland--a town they aren't too fond of. The cast includes Fred Graham and his former wife, Lilli; also Bill Calhoun, an irresponsible gambler, and the girl whom he is interested in, Lois Lane. Bill breaks down and confesses to Lois that he is involved with gangsters, who have his I.O.U. for $10,000 from a crap game. This is not the first time Lois has had to tolerate Bill's escapades, and she inquires poignantly why he cannot behave himself ("Why Can't You Behave?").

Meanwhile Fred and his ex-wife--though divorced--begin to realize that their one-time tender feelings for each other have not completely died out. They start to reminisce about the shows in which they had appeared--including an old-fashioned Viennese operetta ("Wunderbar"). Just before the opening night of The Taming of the Shrew, Fred sends his star, Lois, flowers. By mistake they come to Lilli's dressing room--further proof to her that Fred still loves her. She now openly reveals that that love is reciprocated ("So In Love").

On stage, the performance of The Taming of the Shrew is taking place ("We Open in Venice"). As a play within a play, we learn that Bianca cannot get married until her older sister, Katherine, has found a husband ("Tom, Dick and Harry"). When Petruchio arrives in Padua to seek out a rich wife ("I've Come to Wive it Wealthily in Padua") he is chosen for Katherine. The latter, a shrew, makes no attempt to conceal her feelings about men ("I Hate Men"), while Petruchio knows that Katherine is not the woman of his dreams ("Were Thine That Special Face"). Nevertheless, he agrees to marry her...and the fireworks begin.  This show feeds on our curiosity and lets us see the story backstage right onstage (like "Noises Off" does).  Often there is more drama behind the scenes than on the stage and in this show that proves to be the case.

Christie McCleary as Kate/Lilli Vanessi is perfect for this role.  Not only is she lovely, she has a strong and beautiful voice and carries the responsibilities of "stardom" well.  Her rendition of "I hate Men" is a show-stopper and I have to say it reminds me of the jailhouse song in Chicago's "He Had It Coming."

Parts 1, 2, 3

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