Susan Granger’s review of “Kiss Me Kate” (Summer Theatre of New Canaan)
The Summer Theatre of New Canaan tackles Cole Porter’s “Kiss Me Kate,” a musical filled with memorable songs, witty lyrics and a comedic storyline, exploring the perennial battle-of-the-sexes.
At Ford’s Theater in Baltimore in the 1940s, Fred Graham (David Sattler) is the imperious actor/manager of a theatrical troupe, touring with his contentious ex-wife Lilli Vanessi (Mary McNulty) as his leading lady.
The play they’re presenting is set in Italy and based on Shakespeare’s “The Taming of the Shrew.” It stars Katharine/Lilli as a strong-willed, independent woman in Padua who gets a comeuppance and on-stage spanking from Petrucio/Fred. (Yes, the timing is troublesome in the era of the #MeToo movement.)
Beginning with “Another Op’Nin, Another Show,” there’s a lot of backstage intrigue, mania and mayhem, particularly when a bouquet of flowers with a loving note is delivered to the wrong actress.
Sam and Bella Spewack’s book cleverly utilizes a dramatic device, or ‘plant,’ to propel the plot, namely: the $10,000 IOU that gambler/dancer Bill (Tim Falter) blithely signs with Fred Graham’s name which, in turn, introduces two gangsters (Brett Alters, Brian Silliman) who bring down the house with their zestful “Brush Up Your Shakespeare,” as the audience roars with laughter.
As Lilli/Katharine, dazzling Mary McNulty delivers a glorious, powerhouse performance. When she’s singing “Wunderbar,” “So In Love,” and “I Hate Men,” you can’t take your eyes off her.
In contrast, David Sattler comes across as a portly ‘park-and-bark’ baritone, warbling the dutiful title song, totally missing Petrucio’s essential sense of his own absurdity. Granted, it’s a difficult role but Alfred Drake mastered the duality on-stage, as did Howard Keel in the screen version.
Also jarringly off-kilter is Rachel MacIsaac’s bizarre interpretation of Lois/Bianca, which suggests the brassy blonde Adelaide in “Guys and Dolls,” rather than Katharine’s sweetly docile, younger sister.
While director Allegra Libonati and choreographer Doug Shankman strive for precision, the entire production, particularly the dance numbers, runs far too long. Screenwriter Dorothy Kingsley, director George Sidney and choreographer Hermes Pan tightened it considerably for the 1953 film.
The Summer Theatre of New Canaan’s “Kiss Me Kate” plays through July 29 in Waveny Park. For ticket information and directions, call 203-966-4634 or go to www.stonc.org.