Broadway's hit revival, Kiss Me, Kate, will have another openin' in 2001, in the form of a national tour, beginning June 19-July 1, 2001, at the Shubert Theatre in Haven, CT. Michael Blakemore and Kathleen Marshall will recreate their Broadway direction and choreography, respectively. The 1999 revival of the 1948 Cole Porter backstage musical won 2000 Tony Awards for Best Musical Revival and Best Director, as well as earning Tonys for star Brian Stokes Mitchell (Best Actor in a Musical), Best Orchestrations (Don Sebesky) and Best Costumes (Martin Pakledinaz).

Producers Roger Berlind and Roger Horchow, who are behind the hit Broadway staging of Kiss Me, Kate, are partnering with other producers for the national tour. No casting has been announced. The production is expected to begin teching in New Haven in late May 2001. Dates have been announced through March 2002.

Bookings immediately following New Haven include the Kennedy Center in Washington DC (July 3-Aug. 5, 2001), the Music Hall in Dallas (Aug. 7-19, 2001), the Shubert Theatre in Los Angeles (Aug. 21-Oct. 14, 2001). Dates in St. Paul, MN, Pittsburgh, Nashville, Charlotte, NC, Memphis, St. Louis, Denver, Seattle, Sacramento, San Francisco, San Diego and Tempe, AZ, are anticipated but have not been officially announced.