Cortland Repertory Theatre presents a “revival” for the third show in their 50 Anniversary season, the well-known show “Kiss Me, Kate,” running from July 6-16.
Kiss Me, Kate is about actor/director Fred Graham trying to mount a musical version of The Taming of the Shrew with his ex-wife Lilli Vanessi in the leading role. Also included in the mix are musically inclined, gangsters. Featured will also be Cole Porter’s most classic tunes, “Another Openin’ Another Show,” “So in Love,” “Too Darn Hot,” and “Always True to You.”
Briana Gantsweg as Lilli Vanessi.
Leading the cast as Lily Vanessi is Briana Gantsweg, previously seen on the CRT stage in Born Yesterday and Rough Crossing. Playing Fred Graham is Jahmar Ortiz, who also continues their role as Director of Culture and Inclusion as they did for CRT’s production of Hair earlier this summer. Many different CRT interns perform in the production as well.
Kiss Me, Kate is directed by Mark Reynolds, who previously won the SALT award for Newsies (Best Musical), CRT’s record-breaking production of Footloose, Born Yesterday, The Rat Pack Lounge, The Kitchen Witches, and more. Choreographer Bryan Knowlton returns for a third summer after working on Mamma Mia! and Saturday Night Fever in the past.
The Cortland Repertory Theatre will also offer a “Friday Night Talk Back” after the evening performance on July 8th, with a Q&A session with the actors, director, designers, and crew. Tickets are also on sale for the rest of the summer season, which includes Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express and Disney and Cameron Mackintosh’s Mary Poppins.
