"Kiss Me Kate" announces main cast

"Kiss Me Kate" announces main cast

Four American musical stars will head the London cast of Michael Blakemore's production of Kiss Me Kate, which opens at the Victoria Palace Theatre on 30th Oct 01, following previews from 16th Oct 01.

Brent Barrett will play 'Fred Graham/Petruchio', Marin Mazzie 'Lilli Vanessi/Katharine', Michael Berresse 'Bill Calhoun/Lucentio' and Nancy Anderson 'Lois Lane/Bianca'.

This production opened in November 1999 at the Martin Beck Theatre in New York and has won five Tony Awards, six Drama Desk Awards and four Outer Critics' Circle Awards, including 'Best Revival of a Musical' in all three.

Michael Blakemore won both the Tony and Drama Desk Award for 'Outstanding Direction of a Musical'.

Brent Barrett has starred in many Broadway productions including "Chicago", "Annie Get Your Gun" and "Grand Hotel".

Marin Mazzie has played starring roles in Broadway musicals including "Ragtime", "Passion" and "Into the Woods", and she created the role of 'Lilli Vanessi' in this production of "KISS ME KATE", for which she won the Outer Critics' Circle Award for 'Outstanding Actress in a Musical'.

Michael Berresse has also starred in many Broadway productions including "Chicago", "Damn Yankees" and "Guys and Dolls", and he created the role of 'Bill Calhoun' in this production of "KISS ME KATE".

Nancy Anderson has starred in American productions of "Crazy For You", "The Secret Garden" and "Sweeney Todd", and she is currently playing the role of 'Lois Lane' in "KISS ME KATE" in America.

The show has scenic design by Robin Wagner, costume design by Martin Pakledinaz, lighting design by Peter Kaczorowski, sound by Tony Meola, orchestrations by Don Sebesky and dance arrangements by David Chase. The musical direction is by Paul Gemignani.

It is choreographed by Kathleen Marshall and directed by Michael Blakemore.

The West End production will be staged by the entire original Broadway creative team. It has music and lyrics by Cole Porter and a book by Sam & Bella Spewack.

The show is produced in London by its Broadway producers Roger Berlind and Roger Horchow, with Nica Burns as associate producer.

This musical comedy concerns two gangsters who are despatched to extract a debt from the leading man of a musical version of 'The Taming of the Shrew'. They arrive on its First Night, in the middle of a blazing row between the show's stars and end up on stage singing 'Brush Up Your Shakespeare'.

The show is currently booking until 9 February 2002.