Patrick Siller

Squabbling, singing and Shakespeare take center-stage in the University Theatre’s production of “Kiss Me, Kate.”

“‘Kiss Me, Kate’ is a musical that takes places in 1948,” said Annette Thornton, director and communication and dramatics arts professor. “It’s a theater company’s musical production of William Shakespeare’s ‘The Taming of the Shrew.’”

The play features two couples and their relationship on and off stage, Thornton said. The audience witnesses the plight of the two lead characters, Lilli Vanessi and Fred Graham, a divorced couple who play lovers in “Taming of the Shrew.”

“Things go awry as Fred and Lilli get in fights while on stage,” said Bay City senior Katie Travis, who plays Lilli.

Travis said there are several crazy plot lines within the play. Bill Calhoun, another character in the play, gambles $10,000 he did not have, and consequently two gangsters come after him.

“The gangsters are very funny,” Thornton said.

Travis said the gangsters accidentally end up in the show. Fred uses the gangsters to prevent Lilli from leaving the production while it’s being performed.

The cast consists of 28 members and includes two costumed actors playing a mule, Thornton said.

“It’s a look into backstage workings – that’s where the intrigue comes in,” she said.

“Kiss Me, Kate” features the music of Cole Porter. There are 18 jazz orchestrations, such as “Brush Up Your Shakespeare,” Thornton said.

“The music is fun and entertaining and recognizable,” she said.

Travis said the vocal performances add more of a challenge for her, but fit her character well.

“It’s truly a way I can express my character,” she said.

“Kiss Me, Kate” is showing at 7:30 p.m. today through Saturday and at 2 p.m. Sunday in Moore Hall’s Bush Theater. Tickets are $7 for students and senior citizens and $9 for the general public.

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