Roundabout Theatre Company has announced further casting for the one-night-only benefit concert reading of Kiss Me, Kate—by Sam and Bella Spewack, with music and lyrics by Cole Porter—starring Tony winner Kelli O'Hara as Lilli Vanessi and Will Chase as Fred Graham.
In the 1948 musical comedy, two divorced and egocentric performers find themselves starring opposite each other in a musical version of Taming of the Shrew. The evening will be directed by Scott Ellis; joining the two stars will be Robert Fairchild as Bill, Heléne Yorke as Lois, Chuck Cooper as Harry Trevor/Baptista, Richard Kind as Gangster, and John Pankow as Gangster.
The benefit concert reading will take place December 12 at 7 PM at Studio 54. Tickets ($150-$500) can be purchased online at roundabouttheatre.org/kissmekate or by calling Audience Services at (212) 719-1300.
The cast will also include Amber Iman, James Lane, Cameron Adams, Phillip Attmore, Preston Truman Boyd, Will Burton, Derrick Cobey, Jesmille Darbouze, Rick Faugno, Leslie Donna Flesner, Jenifer Foote, Jessica Lee Goldyn, Nathan Keen, Michael Lowney, Marissa McGowan, Linda Mugleston, Hayley Podschun, and Aaron Ramey.
The evening will have music direction by Patrick Vaccariello and choreography by Warren Carlyle. The creative team also includes David Rockwell (set design), Jeff Mahshie (costume design), Donald Holder (lighting design), Brian Ronan (sound design), and John Barrett (hair and make-up design).
Proceeds from the concert will support Roundabout Theatre Company’s extensive programs and initiatives, including the Musical Theatre Fund, which has allowed Roundabout to produce acclaimed musicals like the Tony-winning She Loves Me—which was also presented as a benefit concert in 2011 starring O’Hara prior to its Broadway revival. Another alum, Chase, returns to Roundabout after his Tony-nominated turn in 2012’s The Mystery of Edwin Drood.
VIP, benefactor, and producer tickets to Kiss Me, Kate include admission to an exclusive cast party following the performance. The evening is co-chaired by Roundabout Board members Michael T. Cohen, Colliers International LLC and Roxanne and Scott Bok, along with Leadership Council members Patrick Crosetto and Paula Dominick.
Visit roundabouttheatre.org/kissmekate for more information.
