Combine Shakespeare's "Taming of the Shrew" with a fabulous Cole Porter score and what do you get? The musical "Kiss Me Kate," which will be presented at 7 p.m. Wednesday through June 18 and June 23-26 in Thief River Falls.
The play-within-a-play where each actor's life onstage is complicated by what is happening offstage will be performed at 7 each night at the theater at Northland Community and Technical College.
Andrea Thibert is directing the 1940s-era romp, in which the cast of "Taming of the Shrew" has its hands full with the chemistry between the diva, Lili/Kate (Jane Anderson), and her ex-husband, Fred/Petruchio (Brad Cook). The only thing keeping it all together are threats from two gangsters trying to collect a gambling debt.
The cast includes David Abraham, Ammie Albers, Jacklyn Beito, Roger Blank, Joseph Boushee, Isaiah Burkel, Michele Christensen, Alex Conwell, Alice Conwell, Rob Conwell, Amanda Darchuk, Jeffrey Darchuk, Alex Evans, Barb Greer, Alexis Hanson, Sherry Knott, Max LaCousiere, Jean Larson, John Mickelson, Mike Mickelson, Katie Mumm, Scott Pream, Al Rogalla, Robin Stegeman, David Swanson and Steven Yeats.
Sherry Knott is music director with Mandi Rodahl as accompanist and pit orchestra director. The pit orchestra includes Dana Dyrud, Aaron Fagerstrom, Lacie Hovland, Mark Lehrer and Allison Scott.
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The musical numbers include "Why Can't You Behave?," "So In Love Am I," "Wunderbar," "Too Darn Hot" and "Brush Up Your Shakespeare."
The 35-plus members of the cast and crew are from Grand Forks and the Minnesota communities of Greenbush, Grygla, Karlstad, Middle River, Newfolden, Warren, Red Lake Falls and Thief River Falls.
Last year's musical in Thief River Falls sold out, and people were turned away. For advance tickets, contact Kezar Music in Thief River Falls.
