7 productions planned for Kiss Me, Kate

The UW Schools of Music and Drama and the Dance Program present Cole Porter’s beloved musical, Kiss Me, Kate, in seven performances from May 12 to May 20 in Meany Theater. All performances are at 7:30 p.m. except for May 14, which is at 3 p.m.

Erich Parce and Kim Hillock star in the UW’s production of Kiss Me, Kate.

Kiss Me, Kate is actually two concurrent stories, with a theater company’s preparation for putting on Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew reflected in the lives of leads Lilli Vanessi and Fred Graham, equally egotistic actors who are divorced from but still obviously attracted to each other.

Kiss Me, Kate is the ultimate backstage musical,” said director Claudia Zahn. “The 1999 New York City revival received rave reviews. It’s a classic about theater life that skewers its own pretensions and is always winking at itself. And I’m a big fan of Cole Porter’s music, which has such great heart and wit. It’s not generic ‘theater music.’” Songs that people will recognize include Wunderbar, So in Love, Too Darn Hot and Another Op’nin’, Another Show.

Seattle baritone Erich Parce stars as Fred/Petruchio. UW graduate student soprano Kim Hillock takes the role of Lilli/Katherine. Other principals, all UW students, include Melissa Wilson, Jesse Stoddard, Shad Willingham and Rodney Anderson. “We’re delighted to welcome Erich Parce to our stage to play Fred,” Zahn said. “He’s taught here and now the students get to see him in another guise. He and Kim Hillock have great chemistry - the sparks really fly.”

The creative staff in addition to Zahn includes Mark Kane, choreographer; Jonathan Pasternak and Teresa Metzger Howe, conductors; Michael Burke and Stormy Edwards, stage managers; Kristin Hubard, costume designer; Clay Satterfield, set designer; and Juliet Chia, lighting designer.

Tickets are $10 for students and seniors and $15 for others. They are available at the Arts Ticket Office, 543-4880. ¶