Kiss Me, Kate: A Review

     Productions of Cole Porter musicals (such as the currently running Kiss Me, Kate) can sometimes go two ways: they can look and sound fresh and new, or they can feel like a tired window into the past.  With a lesser group, you get the latter.  Luckily, with the stellar cast and crew of the 6th Street Playhouse, this is not the case, and the production feels as if it could have been a modern musical.

     What helps keep this particular musical fresh is that beyond a few references to post-WWII culture, the story of former lovers and an acting group trying to open a new high concept play (in this case, a musical adaptation of Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew) is one that still feels fresh and relevant.  The love is on-again/off-again, the jokes are quick and easy, and you have a decent feeling that everything will work out in the end.

     Visually, the production is stellar. the costumes look fantastic, and the colors on the set and lighting helped everything pop. Unfortunately, there were odd lighting glitches throughout the performance that were very distracting, which will hopefully be fixed soon.  

     Tony Ginachetta’s choreography is a pleasure to watch, and is a little breath of fresh air for those who tire of “average” musical choreography.  The number “Brush Up Your Shakespeare” deserves special recognition for being fun and different.  His other numbers were similarly a joy to watch.  Except for some mike problems that plagued a few of the cast members, the singing was some of the best I have heard in recent history.  Each of the actors, especially Taylor Bartolucci (Lilli) and Barry Martin (Fred) were able to imbue their songs with well developed character.  The majority of the cast’s acting outside the musical numbers was pleasant as well, with believable and fun characters.

     If you have never seen a Cole Porter musical, Kiss Me, Kate, as Porter’s possible best, will be an excellent introduction to his take on the classic American art form.  If you normally tire of musicals from his era, do not be afraid to give the production a try and see how an old play can seem new.

Kiss Me, Kate runs at the 6th Street Playhouse in Santa Rosa until Sept. 4.  Tickets run $15-$35. Call 707-523-4185 or visit www.6thstreetplayhouse.com for details.