Barrington Stage Company, Pittsfield
through July 12, 2014
by Shera Cohen
“It’s delightful. It’s delicious. It’s de-lovely.” Cole
Porter’s own words from another of his musicals perfectly describe Barrington
Stage’s (BSC) production of “Kiss Me, Kate.” Let’s bring on the
adjectives...it’s energetic, playful, and endearing.
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| Photo by Kevin Sprague |
BSC has set its own benchmark so high in producing musicals
that it has the difficult task of, at the very least, reaching the mark. At
best, exceeding it. Exceed, they do as BSC literally jumps into its 20th season
with the first of “Kate’s” memorable songs; “Another Op’nin, Another Show.” The
show? “Kate” is a play within a play where backstage problems and personalities
come center stage. “Kate” mingles Shakespeare’s “Taming of the Shrew” with a
post-WWII city-to-city pit-stop theatre company. It’s The Bard meets Damon
Runyon. And, it’s two love stories.
Nearly all of Porter’s 18 songs are familiar (the sweet “So
In Love,” the comic “I Hate Men,” and the rousing “From This Moment On”). It
would be difficult for any audience member not to leave the house humming a
medley. Porter’s lyrics are full of double entendres and farce, and are
sometimes ridiculously funny. “Brush Up Your Shakespeare” falls into all three
categories.
Elizabeth Stanley and Paul Anthony Stewart portray
squabbling exes behind the play’s curtain and Kate and Petruchio on the stage
within the stage in front of the curtain. Got that? It doesn’t matter. What
matters most is the truth and humor they give to their characters in their
private moments and interactions with each other. Bravado and ego abound --
loudly, relentlessly, and hysterically. Oftentimes, theatres hire actors who
can sing, or singers who can act. There is a difference. Rarely are the skills
equal. Stanley and Stewart make for a perfect match. Stanley’s soprano voice is
almost operatic. Stewart holds onto his songs with passion.
The pit orchestra -- yes, they are really in a pit with
dancers jumping and spinning in precarious moves within inches of the players’
heads -- makes 12 musicians sound like 25. Joe Calarco’s direction and Lorin
Latarro’s choreography are as in synch as their lead actors and the two plays.
“Too Darn Hot” opens Act II as the entire ensemble mixes jazz, ballet, and
modern dance into a sultry, sweaty, and steamy showstopper. And the
costumes…the sets…Just get ye' to Pittsfield.
