Kiss Me, Kate!

Kiss Me, Kate!

Roundabout Theatre Company

Studio 54

February 16, 2019

Photo courtesy of Roundabout Theatre Company

The Roundabout Theatre Company revival of Kiss Me, Kate! is vibrant, jovial, and vivacious.  Kelli O’Hara and Will Chase make the well-known lead roles their own with a chemistry and style that rock the house.  Warren Carlyle’s choreography is sheer perfection.  Director Scott Ellis finds the right pace to keep the laughter flowing and the romantic moments touching and sentimental.

The story revolves around the out of town preview of a new musical version of Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew.  Actor/Director Fred Graham (played by Will Chase) is starring as Petruchio opposite his ex-wife and diva, Lilli Vanessi (played by Kelli O’Hara), as Kate.  The sparks fly between the two actors backstage as well as onstage when Lilli receives an opening night bouquet from Fred by mistake.  The flowers are meant for Lois (played by Stephanie Styles), who is playing Bianca.  When Bill Calhoun (played by Corbin Bleu) signs Fred Graham’s name to an IOU for a gambling debt, two gangsters (played by John Pankow and Lance Coadie Williams) come to the theatre to collect.  Fred turns this around in his favor by using these two hit men to keep Lilli from walking off the show.

Kelli O'Hara, Corbin Bleu, Stephanie Styles, & Will Chase
Photo courtesy of Roundabout Theatre Company

Kelli O’Hara has an elegant and commanding presence.  Her rendition of “So in Love” is beautifully delivered.  Will Chase sings “Were Thine That Special Face,” and “Where is the Life that Late I Lead” with robust vigor.  Stephanie Styles brings down the house with “Always True to You in My Fashion,” including the well-deserved encores.  James T. Lane and the company open the second act with a magnificent “Too Darn Hot” that exuberantly lives up to its title.

This is the best of Cole Porter’s scores.  There are cuts and additions to the book and lyrics, made by Amanda Green, that keep the show running smoothly.  The addition of “From This Moment On” in the second act adds a new motivation for Lilli’s decision to return to Fred.  Changes in lyrics to the finale (both Shakespeare’s and Cole Porter’s) ring truthfully to the theme of the show, and add a message of gender equality.

Photo courtesy of Roundabout Theatre Company

Kiss Me, Kate! is playing at Studio 54 through June 2.  Don’t miss this outstanding production of a classic musical.

Domenick Danza

Dada Woof Papa Hot

Dada Woof Papa Hot

Lincoln Center Theater

At the Mitzi E. Newhouse

January 2, 2016

Photo courtesy of Lincoln Center Theater

Peter Parnell’s new play, Dada Woof Papa Hot, explores the change that takes place in the relationship of a married couple after they have children.  Is there enough time for everyone to get the right amount of love and attention they need?  What if the child bonds with one parent more than another?  What happens when one parent adapts more readily to parenthood and its challenges?  More importantly, are these concerns different for a gay couple as a straight couple?  Mr. Parnell successfully examines the fears, worries, joys, and letting-go that come with commitment to this life-long change.  There are laughter, tears, and strong understanding of what it means to settle in for the long haul. 

John Benjamin Hickey & Alex Hurt
Photo courtesy of Lincoln Center Theater

When Alan and Rob (played by John Benjamin Hickey and Patrick Breen) befriend another couple, Scott and Jason (played by Stephen Plunkett and Alex Hurt), they expect to bond over stories of their children, who just entered the same pre-K class.  The attraction between Rob and Jason heats up at the same time that Alan’s best friend Michael (played by John Pankow) admits to seeing another woman behind his wife’s back.  Each of these six characters honestly opens up about their relationships and how they have been different since the children came along.  It is through these six varied points of view (gay, straight, male, female, older, younger) that Mr. Parnell examines the pitfalls and benefits of raising a family.  Each character approaches their challenges differently, showing that when it comes to creating and building a family, there is no such thing as traditional.

John Benjamin Hickey & Patrick Breen
Photo courtesy of Lincoln Center Theater

The second to last scene of the play is the most honest and well-written.  It is between Rob and Allen, where they actually voice their fears and face their emotional blocks.  Surprisingly, Alan, who has been pretty steadfast and sure of himself throughout the play, is the one who gets emotional.  This admission allows Rob to express his disappointments.  It is through this confrontation that the underlying conflict of their relationship, which drives the action of the play, is able to resolve.

This play refreshingly discusses the change of values our society faces at this time in its evolution.  It does it with humor and heartfelt moments.  The dramatic twists and turns, however, are very much foreshadowed.  This does not make them any less climactic, just a little too predictable.

Domenick Danza