Bethany’s February 2019 winter musical was Kiss Me, Kate. Music and lyrics by Cole Porter; Book by Sam and Bella Spewack.
Synopsis: Passions run high as leading lady Lilli Vanessi and her ex-husband, actor/director Fred Graham, battle onstage and off in a production of Shakespeare’s Taming of the Shrew. With romance, comedy, sophistication, and behind-the-scenes high jinks, Kiss Me, Kate combines the irreverent humor of two brilliant writers: Cole Porter and William Shakespeare. Musical numbers include “So In Love,” “Wunderbar,” “Tom, Dick or Harry,” “Too Darn Hot,” “Brush Up Your Shakespeare,” “I Hate Men,” “Always True to You (In My Fashion)” and “Another Op’nin, Another Show.” Kiss Me, Kate was originally produced in 1948, and is considered one of Broadway’s great treasures.
Artistic Direction by Ann Fredrickson
Musical Direction by Dennis Marzolf
Kiss Me, Kate is presented by arrangement with
Tams-Witmark Music Library, Inc., 560 Lexington Avenue, New York, New York 10022
Cast:
Hattie, Lilli Vanessi’s dresser: Kayelynn Lawson
Fred Graham/Petruchio: Tony Cordes
Harry Trevor/Baptista: Ezekiel Grabau
Lois Lane/Bianca: Danica Dick
Lilli Vanessi/Katharine: Natalie Dworak
Paul, Fred Graham’s dresser and stage manager: Ian Overn
Stage Doorman: Christopher Nelson
Bill Calhoun/Lucentio: Hans Bloedel
Cabbie: Jon Smith
First Gangster: Gabriel Strawn
Second Gangster: Joseph Roemhildt
Gremio: Paul Gullixson
Hortensio: Isaiah Koepsell
Harrison Howell: Aaron Stuve
Nathaniel: John Halvorson
Gregory, Delivery Boy: Noah Gernander
Philip: John Wagner
Haberdasher: Anna Meyer
Dancers, Actors, and Stage Hands: Emma Bloedel, Katrina Buelow,
Noah Dale, Hailey Dick, Cari Dworak, Annaliese Emmons, Natania Emmons, Mia Faugstad, Anthony Guerrero, Jessie Hager, Caleb Helmen, Skyler Hepler, Lily Johnson, Emily Kjeer, Vianna Kovaciny, Kiana Krszjzaniek, Kaitlin Loll, Nathan Madson, Laura Marzolf, Amber Matzke, Leanna Matzke, Ruth Mayer, AJ Mildebrandt, Mariah Munsen, Kate Nusbaum, Daylin Paulson, Giana Peterson, Samantha Pollard, Emeline Ring, Audrey Rundgren, Evan Starkel, Charles Stenzel, Andrea Thomforde, Travis Uecker, Andrew Van Kampen, Ashley Ward, Gwendalyn Ward
Production:
Artistic Director: Ann Fredrickson
Musical Director: Dennis Marzolf
Stage Manager: Jennifer Hopp
Assistant Stage Manager: Hailey Dick
Choreographer: Carissa Ott
Set Designer/Technical Director: John E. Merseth, Jr.
Set Work/Scene Painting Supervisor: Peter Bloedel
Set Construction: Unique Designs Construction
Costume Designer: Emily Kimball
Lighting Supervisor: Benji Inniger
Lighting Designer: Olivia Lippert
Scene Shop Supervisor/Set Crew Chief: Philip Wels
Properties: Mia Faugstad, Jennifer Hopp, Kayelynn Lawson, Eni Muca
Dance Captain: AJ Mildebrandt
Rehearsal Piano: Dennis Marzolf, Laura Matzke
Light Board Operator: Maddie Hart
Spot Light Operators: Melissa Murack, Claire Widmer
Lighting Crew: Caleb Helmen, AJ Mildebrandt, Daylin Paulson, Giana Peterson, Claire Widmer, Noella Wigtil
Set Crew: Teleko Admasu, Sanchit Bhagat, Hans Bloedel, Katherine Bockoven, Ian Boehm, Caleb Boyum, Katrina Buelow, Annaliese Emmons, Mia Faugstad, Joseph Finken, Jiahau Fu, Enzo Hellmeister, Caleb Helmen, Jennifer Hopp, Benjamin Johnson, Benoit Kabwar, Anne Marie Kankwende, Marie Paul Kankwende, Erin Kelly, Trevor Lomen, Ruth Mayer, AJ Mildebrandt, Eni Muca, Adeshola Oyedokun, Chanyoung Park, Hannah Petschke, Mindy Pitzner, Joe Reveles, Daniel Schilling, Jessica Simba, Jon Smith, Laura Strom, Madelynn Thompson, Johnny Tshibuabua, John Wagner, Claire Widmer, Noella Wigtil, Kiara Wittmus, Lisette Yowa
Costume Crew: Emma Bloedel, Madelaine Cordes, Natalie Dworak, Karee Henrich, Abigail Hislop, Emma Hislop, Vianna Kovaciny, Kaitlin Lange, Daylin Paulson, Giana Peterson, Audrey Rundgren, Rose Shrader, Maren Thompson, Gwendalyn Ward
Poster Design: Hannah Marquardt
Playbill Layout: Leah Kurth
Fine Arts Coordinator: Susan Harstad
“Venice” back drop painted by: Peter Bloedel