Spring Break
'Kiss Me, Kate' coming to Western this weekend
Western's 34th Summer Music Theatre Season will open with "Kiss Me, Kate," beginning June 24 at Hainline Theatre
Le Alexander
Issue date: 6/23/05 Section: News
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Join the cast of "Kiss Me, Kate" as one of Broadway's classiest shows marks the beginning of Western Illinois University's 34th Summer Music Theatre Season, starting June 24 and 25 as well as June 30 to July 2 at 7:30 p.m. in Hainline Theatre.
"Kiss Me, Kate," winner of five Tony Awards in both 1949 and 2000, follows the classic love story between two actors and once-married couple, Lilli Vanessi and Fred Graham, who have reunited for stardom in the musical version of "The Taming of the Shrew." While continuing to fight backstage, the ex-couple clashes onstage in which they try to portray Shakespeare's Katherine and Petruchio.
Playing the part of Lilli/Kate is Western's recent addition to the theatre faculty, Christiane Morel from Bo ulder, Colo. Morel earned a bachelor's degree in theatre and French from the University of Colorado and a master's degree in French from the University of Kentucky as well as an MFA in acting from Michigan State University.
Opposite of Morel and playing the part of Fred/Petruchio is Kyle Payne of Queens, N.Y. Payne came to Western from the University of North Carolina-Greensboro, where he is currently pursuing an MFA in acting.
As a recent graduate of the Robert E. Cook Honors College of Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Payne's other acting experiences include UNCG Summer Theatre and North Carolina Shakespeare Festival.
Fred's current love interest, Lois, played by Alison Gritz, plays the role of Bianca in the musical, and Bill, played by Charles Hirsh, the other man in Lois' life, plays the role of Lucentio, her dance partner.
Gritz, of Fairfield, Iowa and Hirsh, of Cincinnati, OH are both currently pursuing a degree in musical theatre at Webster University in St. Louis.
Additional actors include Adam Lewis (Gangster), Patrick Tierney (Hortensio), Jess Griffith (Hatti), Ben Gougeon (Gangster), Peter Johnson (Howell), Scott Nelson (Ralph), Israel Hillery (Paul), Sam Weller (Gremio) and Brian Clark (Baptista). Ensemble includes Tamara Corbin, Sheridan Essman, Carmen Meyers, Melissa King, Sam Dubina, Tiffany Topol, Kelly Klein, Nico Brown and Carrie Cunningham.
"Kiss Me, Kate," winner of five Tony Awards in both 1949 and 2000, follows the classic love story between two actors and once-married couple, Lilli Vanessi and Fred Graham, who have reunited for stardom in the musical version of "The Taming of the Shrew." While continuing to fight backstage, the ex-couple clashes onstage in which they try to portray Shakespeare's Katherine and Petruchio.
Playing the part of Lilli/Kate is Western's recent addition to the theatre faculty, Christiane Morel from Bo ulder, Colo. Morel earned a bachelor's degree in theatre and French from the University of Colorado and a master's degree in French from the University of Kentucky as well as an MFA in acting from Michigan State University.
Opposite of Morel and playing the part of Fred/Petruchio is Kyle Payne of Queens, N.Y. Payne came to Western from the University of North Carolina-Greensboro, where he is currently pursuing an MFA in acting.
As a recent graduate of the Robert E. Cook Honors College of Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Payne's other acting experiences include UNCG Summer Theatre and North Carolina Shakespeare Festival.
Fred's current love interest, Lois, played by Alison Gritz, plays the role of Bianca in the musical, and Bill, played by Charles Hirsh, the other man in Lois' life, plays the role of Lucentio, her dance partner.
Gritz, of Fairfield, Iowa and Hirsh, of Cincinnati, OH are both currently pursuing a degree in musical theatre at Webster University in St. Louis.
Additional actors include Adam Lewis (Gangster), Patrick Tierney (Hortensio), Jess Griffith (Hatti), Ben Gougeon (Gangster), Peter Johnson (Howell), Scott Nelson (Ralph), Israel Hillery (Paul), Sam Weller (Gremio) and Brian Clark (Baptista). Ensemble includes Tamara Corbin, Sheridan Essman, Carmen Meyers, Melissa King, Sam Dubina, Tiffany Topol, Kelly Klein, Nico Brown and Carrie Cunningham.
