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{{short description|Musical by Cole Porter and Bella and Samuel Spewack}}
{{other uses|Kiss Me Kate (disambiguation)}}
{{Infobox musical
| name = Kiss Me, Kate
| subtitle = 
| image = Kiss Me Kate 1950 LP Cover.jpg
| image_size = 
| caption = 
| music = [[Cole Porter]]
| lyrics = Cole Porter
| book = [[Bella and Samuel Spewack]]
| basis = ''[[The Taming of the Shrew]]'' <br> by [[William Shakespeare]]
| productions = 1948 [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]]<br>1951 [[West End theatre|West End]]<br>1999 [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]] [[revival (theatre)|revival]]<br>2001 [[West End theatre|West End]] revival <br> 2019 [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]] revival<!-- Please include in the infobox only major-market productions that have already opened -->
| awards = 1949 [[Tony Award for Best Musical]] <br> 1949 [[Tony Award for Best Original Score|Tony Award for Composer and Lyricist]] <br> 1949 [[Tony Award for Best Author of a Musical|Tony Award for Best Author]] <br> 1999 [[Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical|Tony Award for Best Revival]]<!-- Please do not include production-specific (acting, directing, etc.) awards -->
}}

'''''Kiss Me, Kate''''' is a [[Musical theatre|musical]] with music and lyrics by [[Cole Porter]] and a book by [[Bella and Samuel Spewack]]. The story involves the production of a musical version of [[William Shakespeare]]'s ''[[The Taming of the Shrew]]'' and the conflict on and off-stage between Fred Graham, the show's director, producer, and star, and his leading lady, his ex-wife Lilli Vanessi. A secondary romance concerns Lois Lane, the actress playing [[Bianca Minola|Bianca]], and her gambler boyfriend, Bill, who runs afoul of some gangsters. The original production starred [[Alfred Drake]], [[Patricia Morison]], [[Lisa Kirk]] and [[Harold Lang (dancer)|Harold Lang]].

''Kiss Me, Kate'' was Porter's response to [[Rodgers and Hammerstein]]'s ''[[Oklahoma!]]'' and other [[Musical theatre#Book musicals|integrated musical]]s; it was the first show he wrote in which the music and lyrics were firmly connected to the script. The musical premiered in 1948 and proved to be Porter's only show to run for more than 1,000 performances on  [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]].<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.theatrehistory.com/american/musical019.html| title=theatrehistory}}</ref><ref>Stempel, 322-324</ref> In 1949, it won the first [[Tony Award for Best Musical]].

==Conception==
Producer [[Saint Subber|Arnold Saint-Subber]] conceived the idea for ''Kiss Me, Kate'' after witnessing the on-stage/off-stage battling of husband-and-wife actors [[Alfred Lunt]] and [[Lynn Fontanne]] during their 1935 production of ''The Taming of the Shrew''. In 1947, he asked the Spewacks (undergoing their own marital woes at the time) to write the script; [[Bella Spewack]] in turn enlisted [[Cole Porter]] to write the music and lyrics.<ref name=Royston/>

Porter's score drew from musical styles of the [[Italian Renaissance]], [[Giuseppe Verdi|Verdi's]] operas, blues, the [[Viennese waltz]], and, in "Brush Up Your Shakespeare", the 1897 hybrid "Bowery waltz". In writing the lyrics for ''Kiss Me, Kate'', Porter drew from Shakespearean themes and language, without creating something esoteric, and the song "[[Always True to You in My Fashion]]" was inspired by the [[Ernest Dowson]] poem "''Non Sum Qualis Eram Bonae Sub Regno Cynarae''”, with its refrain "I have been faithful to thee, Cynara, in my fashion".<ref name=Royston>{{cite web |last=Royston |first=Peter |url=http://www.portwashington.com/moveweb/Guidewrite/kissmekate.html |title=''Kiss Me, Kate'': The Love Connection|website=Portwashington.com|accessdate=13 August 2024}} (originally published in ''Center Stage Magazine'', Winter/Spring 2002)</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=STC-admin |date=2015-09-21 |title=''Kiss Me, Kate'' and 'The Bard of Stratford-on-Avon' |url=https://cms.shakespearetheatre.org/index.php/watch-listen/kiss-me-kate-and-the-bard-of-stratford-on-avon/ |access-date=2024-08-13 |website=Shakespeare Theatre Company}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Benario |first=Janice M. |date=2001 |title=Always True to You (in My Fashion) |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/43938516 |journal=The Classical Outlook |volume=79 |issue=1 |pages=2–4 |jstor=43938516 |issn=0009-8361}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.5406/j.ctt18j8wx1 |title=A Cole Porter Companion |date=2016 |publisher=University of Illinois Press |isbn=978-0-252-04009-2 |jstor=10.5406/j.ctt18j8wx1 }}</ref>

==Productions==

===Original Broadway production===
{{further|Kiss Me, Kate (original Broadway cast recording)}}
After a 3½-week pre-[[Broadway theatre|Broadway]] tryout at the [[Miller Theater (Philadelphia)|Shubert Theatre]] in [[Philadelphia]] starting December 2, 1948, the original [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]] production opened on December 30, 1948, at the [[New Century Theatre]], where it ran for nineteen months before transferring to the [[Shubert Theatre (Broadway)|Shubert]], for a total run of 1,077 performances. Directed by [[John C. Wilson]] with [[choreography]] by [[Hanya Holm]], the original cast included [[Alfred Drake]], [[Patricia Morison]], [[Lisa Kirk]],<ref name=pc4b>{{Pop Chronicles 40s|4|B}}</ref> [[Harold Lang (dancer)|Harold Lang]], [[Charles Wood (actor)|Charles Wood]] and [[Harry Clark (actor)|Harry Clark]]. [[Brooks Atkinson]] of ''[[The New York Times]]'' praised the "authentic book which is funny without the interpolation of gags. Cole Porter has written his best score in years, together with witty lyrics. Under Hanya Holm's direction, the dancing is joyous. And Lemuel Ayers has provided carnival costumes and some interesting scenery."<ref>{{Cite web |title=At the Theatre: ''Kiss Me, Kate'' |url=https://archive.nytimes.com/www.nytimes.com/books/98/11/29/specials/porter-kate.html |access-date=2024-08-13 |website=archive.nytimes.com}}</ref> The production won 5 Tony awards including Best Musical. The 1949 original cast recording has been inducted into the [[Library of Congress]]'s [[National Recording Registry]] for the album's "cultural, artistic and/or historical significance to American society and the nation's audio legacy".<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.loc.gov/today/pr/2015/15-041.html|title=National Recording Registry To 'Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive'|publisher=Library of Congress|date=25 March 2015|access-date=25 March 2015}}</ref>

===Original London and Australian productions===
The original [[West End theatre|West End]] production opened on March 8, 1951, at the [[Coliseum Theatre]], and ran for 400 performances. Directed by Sam Spewack with choreography again by Holm, this production starred Patricia Morison, [[Bill Johnson (musical theatre actor)|Bill Johnson]], [[Adelaide Hall]] and [[Julie Wilson]].

The original Australian production played from February 1952 at [[Her Majesty's Theatre, Melbourne|His Majesty's Theatre]], Melbourne, before seasons in Sydney, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide until 1954. The production featured [[Hayes Gordon]] and Joy Turpin (later replaced by [[Evie Hayes]]).<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article23161008 |title="Kiss Me, Kate", has something new |newspaper=[[The Argus (Melbourne)|The Argus]] |issue=32,892 |location=Melbourne|date=4 February 1952 |access-date=10 June 2017 |page=2 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ausstage.edu.au/pages/work/57|title=AusStage – Kiss Me, Kate|website=www.ausstage.edu.au|access-date=June 10, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article134283098 |title='Kiss Me, Kate' for Adelaide |newspaper=[[The News (Adelaide)|The News]] |volume=60 |issue=9,238 |location=Adelaide |date=19 March 1953 |access-date=10 June 2017 |page=11 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref>

===1970 London and 1987 UK revivals===
A London revival opened in December 1970 at the London Coliseum, in a production by the [[Sadler's Wells Opera]]. The cast featured [[Emile Belcourt]] (Petruchio), Judith Bruce, [[Eric Shilling]], Ann Howard (Kate), Francis Egerton and Robert Lloyd, with direction by [[Peter Coe (director)|Peter Coe]] and choreography by Sheila O'Neill. Coe did a translation for British audiences, including having "a tea wagon", and included "traditional English music hall jokes".<ref>Lewis, Anthony. "Sadler's Wells Scores Triumph With ''Kiss Me, Kate'' in London", ''The New York Times'', December 26, 1970, p. 10</ref> This revival had a "brief run", according to the ''Encyclopedia of the Musical Theatre''.<ref>[[Stanley Green (historian)|Green, Stanley]].[https://books.google.com/books?id=ZWIRAljCR7oC&pg=PA237 ''Encyclopedia of the Musical Theatre''], Da Capo Press, 1980, {{ISBN|0-306-80113-2}}, p. 237</ref><!--(more information necessary, this production is something of a black hole on the Internet.)--><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.phyllis.demon.co.uk/theatricalia/09mus/mus70.htm|title=Musicals – 1970s|access-date=2010-08-12|archive-date=2020-08-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803031242/http://www.phyllis.demon.co.uk/theatricalia/09mus/mus70.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The [[Royal Shakespeare Company]] staged a production which opened at the [[Royal Shakespeare Theatre]], [[Stratford-upon-Avon]], on February 10, 1987,<ref>[http://collections.shakespeare.org.uk/search/rsc-performances/kis198702-kiss-me-kate RSC Performances Kiss Me Kate, Stratford-upon-Avon], retrieved January 1, 2019</ref> toured the UK from March to May,<ref>[http://collections.shakespeare.org.uk/search/rsc-performances/kis198703-kiss-me-kate RSC Performances Kiss Me Kate, UK Tour], retrieved January 1, 2019</ref> and then played at London's [[Old Vic Theatre]] from May 19, 1987.<ref>[http://collections.shakespeare.org.uk/search/rsc-performances/kis198705-kiss-me-kate RSC Performances Kiss Me Kate, Old Vic], retrieved January 1, 2019</ref> Directed by [[Adrian Noble]] and staged by [[Ron Field]], the production starred [[Nichola McAuliffe]] and [[Paul Jones (singer)|Paul Jones]] as Lilli/Kate and Fred/Petruchio, with Tim Flavin and Fiona Hendley as Bill/Lucentio and Lois/Bianca. The gangsters were played by [[Emil Wolk]] and [[John Bardon]], who shared the 1987 [[Olivier Award]] for Outstanding Performance of the Year by an Actor in a Musical, while McAuliffe won the Olivier for Outstanding Performance of the Year by an Actress in a Musical.<ref>[http://officiallondontheatre.com/olivier-awards/winners/olivier-winners-1987/ Olivier Winners 1987], retrieved January 1, 2019</ref> The production moved to the [[Savoy Theatre]] on January 15, 1988, with a new cast.<ref>[http://collections.shakespeare.org.uk/search/rsc-performances/kiss-me-kate RSC Performances Kiss Me Kate, Savoy Theatre], retrieved January 1, 2019</ref>

===1952 and 1999 Broadway revivals===
A short-lived Broadway revival ran at the Broadway Theatre in January 1952. It was directed by [[John C. Wilson]] and choreographed by [[Hanya Holm]]. Holly Harris and Robert Wright starred as Lilli and Fred.<ref>{{cite web|title=Kiss Me, Kate|url=https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-production/kiss-me-kate-2167|website=IBDB.com|publisher=The Broadway League|access-date=February 14, 2017}}</ref>

A Broadway revival opened at the [[Al Hirschfeld Theatre|Martin Beck Theatre]] on November 18, 1999, and closed on December 30, 2001, after 881 performances and 28 previews. Directed by [[Michael Blakemore]], Produced by [[Richard Godwin]], and choreographed by [[Kathleen Marshall]] and [[Rob Ashford]], the opening night cast included [[Marin Mazzie]], [[Brian Stokes Mitchell]], [[Amy Spanger]], [[Michael Berresse]], [[Ron Holgate]], [[Lee Wilkof]] and [[Michael Mulheren]]. This production won the [[Tony Award]]s for Best Revival of a Musical and Best Actor in a Musical for Mitchell; [[Marin Mazzie]] received a Tony nomination for Best Actress in a Musical, and [[Michael Berresse]], [[Lee Wilkof]] and [[Michael Mulheren]] received Tony nominations for Best Featured Actor in a Musical.

===2001 and 2012 London revivals===
A [[West End theatre|West End]] revival opened at the [[Victoria Palace Theatre]] on October 30, 2001, and closed on August 24, 2002. As with the 1999 Broadway revival, Michael Blakemore was the director with choreography by Kathleen Marshall. [[Brent Barrett]] and [[Marin Mazzie]] co-starred.<ref>[http://www.albemarle-london.com/Archive/ArchiveShow.php?Show_Name=Kiss%20Me%20Kate "''Kiss Me, Kate'' listing] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100917135123/http://albemarle-london.com/Archive/ArchiveShow.php?Show_Name=Kiss%20Me%20Kate |date=2010-09-17 }}, Victoria Palace Theatre, 2001. albemarle-london.com (archive), retrieved August 27, 2010</ref>

[[Chichester Festival Theatre]]'s 2012 revival of the show transferred to the [[Old Vic Theatre]] on London's South Bank in November 2012, with an official opening in December.<ref>{{cite web|title=''Kiss Me, Kate''|url=http://www.oldvictheatre.com/kiss-me-kate/|publisher=Old Vic Theatre|access-date=20 January 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130116233534/http://www.oldvictheatre.com/kiss-me-kate/|archive-date=16 January 2013}}</ref> It starred [[Hannah Waddingham]] as Lili/Kate and Alex Bourne as Fred Graham. The production was directed by [[Trevor Nunn]]. The show received positive reviews from critics and audiences.<ref>{{cite web|title=''Kiss Me, Kate''|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/theatre/theatre-reviews/9705902/Kiss-Me-Kate-Old-Vic-London-review.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/theatre/theatre-reviews/9705902/Kiss-Me-Kate-Old-Vic-London-review.html |archive-date=2022-01-12 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|work=Daily Telegraph|date=28 November 2012 |access-date=19 January 2014}}{{cbignore}}</ref> [[Hannah Waddingham]] and Alex Bourne were both nominated for the 2013 Olivier Awards as Best Actress/Actor in a Musical for their performances.

=== 2015 Opera North production ===
In September 2015 [[Opera North]] presented a revival directed by Jo Davies, choreographed by [[Will Tuckett]]. The production opened at the [[Grand Theatre, Leeds|Leeds Grand Theatre]] before touring to [[Theatre Royal, Newcastle|Theatre Royal Newcastle]], [[The Lowry|The Lowry Salford]], and [[Theatre Royal, Nottingham|Theatre Royal Nottingham]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.kissmekatethemusical.co.uk/|title=Kiss Me, Kate|website=Kiss Me, Kate|access-date=2016-10-04}}</ref> The production was co-produced with [[Welsh National Opera]] who continued to tour it in 2016, first as part of the Shakespeare400 season at the [[Wales Millennium Centre|Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff]], and then to [[Liverpool Empire Theatre]], [[Bristol Hippodrome]], [[New Theatre Oxford]], [[Mayflower Theatre|Mayflower Theatre Southampton]], [[Birmingham Hippodrome]], and [[Venue Cymru|Venue Cymru Llandudno]], before returning to Cardiff.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wno.org.uk/event/cole-porters-kiss-me-kate|title=Cole Porter's Kiss Me, Kate {{!}} Welsh National Opera|website=www.wno.org.uk|access-date=2016-10-04}}</ref> The production was revived at [[London Coliseum]] briefly in June 2018, following a return visit to Leeds Grand Theatre in May 2018.

=== 2019 Broadway revival ===
The [[Roundabout Theatre Company]] presented a revised third Broadway revival of ''Kiss Me, Kate'' with [[Kelli O'Hara]] as Lilli Vanessi/Kate, [[Will Chase]] as Fred Graham/Petruchio, [[Stephanie Styles]] as Lois Lane/Bianca, and [[Corbin Bleu]] as Bill Calhoun/Lucentio. The production is directed by [[Scott Ellis]] and choreographed by [[Warren Carlyle]],<ref name=bleu>Gans, Andrew. [http://www.playbill.com/article/corbin-bleu-and-more-will-join-kelli-ohara-and-will-chase-in-broadways-kiss-me-kate# "Corbin Bleu and More Will Join Kelli O'Hara and Will Chase in Broadway's ''Kiss Me, Kate''"] ''Playbill'', October 10, 2018</ref> with minor "feminist" updates by [[Amanda Green]] to make the musical "more accessible for today's audiences".<ref>Clement, Olivia. [http://www.playbill.com/article/reworking-broadways-kiss-me-kate-for-2019-audiences "Reworking Broadway's ''Kiss Me, Kate'' for 2019 Audiences"] ''Playbill'', February 12, 2019</ref> Roundabout produced a benefit concert of the show with O'Hara, Ellis, and Carlyle in 2016.<ref>Clement, Olivia. [http://www.playbill.com/article/kelli-ohara-to-return-to-broadway-in-kiss-me-kate "Kelli O’Hara to Return to Broadway in ''Kiss Me, Kate''"] ''Playbill'', November 6, 2017</ref> The revival had a limited run at [[Studio 54]]. Previews began on February 14, 2019, with the opening on March 14. The production closed on June 30, 2019.<ref>[https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Kelli-OHara-Led-KISS-ME-KATE-to-Begin-Performances-February-14-at-Studio-54-Full-Creative-Team-Announced-20180611 "Kelli O'Hara Led ''Kiss Me Kate'' to Begin Performances February 14 at Studio 54; Full Creative Team Announced"] BroadwayWorld.com, June 11, 2018</ref><ref>Clement, Olivia. [http://www.playbill.com/article/kiss-me-kate-begins-on-broadway-february-14# "''Kiss Me, Kate'' Begins on Broadway February 14"], ''Playbill'', February 14, 2019</ref><ref>[http://www.playbill.com/article/kiss-me-kate-starring-kelli-ohara-and-will-chase-ends-broadway-run-june-30# " ''Kiss Me, Kate'', Starring Kelli O'Hara and Will Chase, Ends Broadway Run June 30"], ''Playbill'', June 30, 2019</ref>

=== 2024 London revival===
A revival directed by [[Bartlett Sher]] and choreographed by [[Anthony Van Laast]] ran at the [[Barbican Centre|Barbican Theatre]] in London from June 4 to September 14, 2024, with an official opening on June 18. The production starred [[Adrian Dunbar]] as Fred / Petruchio and [[Stephanie J. Block]] as Lilli / Katharine. Other cast members included [[Charlie Stemp]] as Bill / Lucentio, [[Georgina Onuorah]] as Lois / Bianca, and [[Nigel Lindsay]] and [[Hammed Animashaun]] as the gangsters.<ref>Culwell-Block, Logan. [https://playbill.com/article/stephanie-j.-block-stars-in-london-kiss-me-kate-revival-opening-june-18 "Stephanie J. Block Stars in London ''Kiss Me, Kate'' Revival, Opening June 18"], ''Playbill'', June 18, 2024</ref><ref>Culwell-Block, Logan. [https://playbill.com/article/london-kiss-me-kate-starring-stephanie-j-block-completes-run-september-14 "London ''Kiss Me, Kate'', Starring Stephanie J. Block, Completes Run September 14"], ''Playbill'', September 14, 2024</ref> The production was filmed on stage for a November 17, 2024 release in UK cinemas and internationally.<ref name="Block-movie">Culwell-Block, Logan. [https://playbill.com/article/heres-when-you-can-see-stephanie-j-block-in-kiss-me-kate-in-movie-theatres "Here's When You Can See Stephanie J. Block in ''Kiss Me, Kate'' in Movie Theatres"], ''Playbill'', September 25, 2024</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/janelevere/2024/11/17/london-production-of-musical-kiss-me-kate-filmed-for-us |title=London Production of Musical ''Kiss Me, Kate'' Filmed for U.S.|last=Levere|first=Jane|website=[[Forbes]] |date=November 17, 2024 |url-access=limited}}</ref>

==Casts==
<!-- DO NOT ADD COLUMN UNTIL PRODUCTION OPENS -- Please add only long-running, major market productions to the table. -->
{| class="wikitable" width:90%;"
|-
! scope"col" | Character
! scope"col" | Original Broadway cast (1948)<ref>{{cite web|title=Kiss Me, Kate|url=https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-production/kiss-me-kate-2054|website=IBDB.com|publisher=The Broadway League|access-date=February 16, 2019}}</ref>
! scope=col | Original West End cast (1951)
! scope"col" | 1999 Broadway revival<ref>{{cite web|title=Kiss Me, Kate|url=https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-production/kiss-me-kate-9686|website=IBDB.com|publisher=The Broadway League|access-date=February 14, 2017}}</ref>
! scope"col" | 2019 Broadway revival<ref>{{cite web|title=Kiss Me, Kate|url=https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-production/kiss-me-kate-518742|website=IBDB.com|publisher=The Broadway League|access-date=February 16, 2019}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" | Fred Graham/[[Petruchio]]
| align="center" colspan="1"|[[Alfred Drake]]
| align=center|[[Bill Johnson (musical theatre actor)|Bill Johnson]]
| align="center" colspan="1"|[[Brian Stokes Mitchell]]
| align="center" colspan="1"|[[Will Chase]]
|-
! scope="row" | Lilli Vanessi/[[Katherina (Kate) Minola|Katharine]]
| align="center" colspan="2"|[[Patricia Morison]]
| align="center" colspan="1"|[[Marin Mazzie]]
| align="center" colspan="1"|[[Kelli O'Hara]]
|-
! scope="row" | Bill Calhoun/Lucentio
| align="center" colspan="1"|[[Harold Lang (dancer)|Harold Lang]]
| align=center|[[Walter Long (actor)|Walter Long]]
| align="center" colspan="1"|[[Michael Berresse]]
| align="center" colspan="1"|[[Corbin Bleu]]
|-
! scope="row" | Lois Lane/[[Bianca Minola|Bianca]]
| align="center" colspan="1"|[[Lisa Kirk]]
| align=center|[[Julie Wilson]]
| align="center" colspan="1"|[[Amy Spanger]]
| align="center" colspan="1"|[[Stephanie Styles]]
|-
! scope="row" | First Man
| align="center" colspan="1"|[[Harry Clark (actor)|Harry Clark]]
| align=center|[[Danny Green (actor)|Danny Green]]
| align="center" colspan="1"|[[Lee Wilkof]]
| align="center" colspan="1"|[[John Pankow]]
|-
! scope="row" | Second Man
| align="center" colspan="1"|Jack Diamond
| align=center|Sidney James
| align="center" colspan="1"|[[Michael Mulheren]]
| align="center" colspan="1"|Lance Coadie Williams
|-
! scope="row" | Harrison Howell
| align="center" colspan="1"|Denis Green
| align=center|[[Austin Trevor]]
| align="center" colspan="1"|[[Ron Holgate]]
| align="center" colspan="1"|Terence Archie
|-
! scope="row" | Henry Trevor/Baptista
| align="center" colspan="1"|Thomas Holer
| align=center|Daniel Wherry
| align="center" colspan="1"|John Horton
| align="center" colspan="1"|[[Mel Johnson, Jr.]]
|-
! scope="row" | Hattie
| align="center" colspan="1"|Annabelle Hill
| align=center|[[Adelaide Hall]]
| align="center" colspan="1"|[[Adriane Lenox]]
| align="center" colspan="1"|Adrienne Walker
|-
! scope="row" | Paul
| align="center" colspan="1"|[[Lorenzo Fuller]]
|align=center|[[Archie Savage]]
| align="center" colspan="1"|[[Stanley Wayne Mathis]]
| align="center" colspan="1"|[[James T. Lane]]
|}

==Plot==
'''Act I'''

The cast of a musical version of [[William Shakespeare]]'s ''[[The Taming of the Shrew]]'' is rehearsing for the opening of the show that evening ("[[Another Op'nin', Another Show]]"). Egotistical Fred Graham is the director and producer and is starring as [[Petruchio]]; his movie-star ex-wife, Lilli Vanessi, is playing [[Kate (The Taming of the Shrew)|Katherine]]. The two seem to be constantly arguing, and Lilli is particularly angry that Fred is pursuing the alluring young actress Lois Lane, who is playing [[Bianca Minola|Bianca]]. After the rehearsal, Lois's boyfriend Bill appears; he is playing Lucentio, but he missed the rehearsal because he was gambling. He tells her that he signed a $10,000 IOU in Fred's name, and Lois reprimands him ("[[Why Can't You Behave?]]").

Before the opening, Fred and Lilli meet backstage, and Lilli shows off her engagement ring from Washington insider General Harrison Howell, reminding Fred that it is the anniversary of their divorce. They recall the operetta in which they met, which included "Wunderbar", a Viennese waltz; they end up fondly reminiscing, singing and dancing. Two gangsters show up to collect the $10,000 IOU, and Fred replies that he never signed it; the gangsters obligingly say they will give him time to remember it and will return later. In her dressing room, Lilli receives flowers from Fred, and she declares that she is still "So In Love" with him. Fred tries to keep Lilli from reading the card that came with the flowers, which reveals that he really intended them for Lois. However, Lilli takes the card with her onstage, saying she will read it later.

The show begins ("We Open in Venice"). Baptista, Katherine and Bianca's father, will not allow his younger daughter Bianca to marry until his older daughter Katherine is married. However, she is shrewish and ill-tempered, and no man desires to marry her. Three suitors – Lucentio, Hortensio, and Gremio – try to woo Bianca, and she says that she would marry any of them ("[[Tom, Dick or Harry (song)|Tom, Dick, or Harry]]"). Petruchio, a friend of Lucentio, expresses a desire to marry into wealth ("I've Come to Wive it Wealthily in Padua").<ref name=pc4b /> The suitors hatch a plan for him to marry Kate, as Baptista is rich. Kate, however, has no intentions of getting married ("I Hate Men"); Petruchio attempts to woo her ("Were Thine That Special Face"). Offstage, Lilli has an opportunity to read the card. She walks on stage off-cue and begins beating Fred, who, along with the other actors, tries to remain in character as Baptista gives Petruchio permission to marry Kate. Lilli continues to strike Fred, and he ends up spanking her onstage.

Offstage, Lilli furiously declares she is leaving the show. However, the gangsters reappear, and Fred tells them that if Lilli quits, he'll have to close the show and won't be able to pay them the $10,000; the gangsters force her to stay at gunpoint. Back onstage, Bianca and Lucentio dance while the chorus performs "We Sing of Love", covering a scene change. The curtain opens, revealing the exterior of a church; Petruchio and Kate have just been married, and they exit the church; the gangsters, dressed in Shakespearean costume, are onstage to make sure that Lilli stays. Petruchio implores for Kate to kiss him, and she refuses. He lifts her over his shoulder and carries her offstage while she pummels his shoulder with her fists ("Kiss Me Kate").

'''Act II'''

During the show's intermission, the cast and crew relax in the alley behind the theater, lamenting that it's "[[Too Darn Hot]]" to meet their lovers that night. The play continues, as Petruchio tries to "tame" Katherine and mourns for his now-lost bachelor life ("Where Is the Life That Late I Led?"). Offstage, Lilli's fiancé Harrison Howell is looking for her. He runs into Lois, and she recognizes him as a former lover but promises not to tell Lilli. Bill is shocked to overhear this, but Lois tells him that even if she is involved with other men, she is faithful to him in her own way ("[[Always True to You in My Fashion]]").<ref name=pc4b /> Lilli tries to explain to Howell that she is being forced to stay at the theatre by the gangsters, but Howell doesn't believe her and wants to discuss wedding plans. Fred insidiously points out how boring Lilli's life with Howell will be compared with the theatre. Bill sings a love song he has written for Lois ("Bianca").

The gangsters discover that their boss has been killed, so the IOU is no longer valid. Lilli leaves—without Howell—as Fred unsuccessfully tries to persuade her to stay ("So in Love" (Reprise)). The gangsters get caught on stage and improvise a comedic tribute to Shakespeare in which they explain that knowing Shakespeare is the key to romance ("Brush Up Your Shakespeare"). The company prepares for the conclusion of the play, the wedding of Bianca and Lucentio, even though they are now missing one of the main characters. However, just in time for Katherine's final speech, Lilli arrives onstage ("I Am Ashamed That Women Are So Simple"). Fred and Lilli wordlessly reconcile on stage, and the play ends ("Kiss Me Kate" (Finale)) with them, as well as Bill and Lois, kissing passionately.

==Song list==
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
'''Act I'''
* "[[Another Op'nin', Another Show]]" – Hattie and Company
* "[[Why Can't You Behave?]]" – Lois Lane and Bill Calhoun
* "Wunderbar" – Fred Graham and Lilli Vanessi
* "[[So in Love]]" – Lilli
* "We Open in Venice" – Petruchio (Fred), Katherine Minola (Lilli), Bianca (Lois) and Lucentio (Bill)
* "[[Tom, Dick or Harry (song)|Tom, Dick or Harry]]" – Bianca, Lucentio, Gremio and Hortensio
* "I've Come to Wive it Wealthily in Padua" – Petruchio and the Men
* "I Hate Men" – Katherine
* "Were Thine That Special Face"^ – Petruchio
* "We Sing of Love (Cantiamo D'Amore)" – Bianca, Lucentio and Ensemble
* "Kiss Me, Kate" – Petruchio, Katherine and Ensemble

{{col-2}}
'''Act II'''
* "[[Too Darn Hot]]" – Paul and Ensemble
* "Where is the Life That Late I Led?" – Petruchio
* "[[Always True to You in My Fashion]]" – Lois
* "[[From This Moment On (Cole Porter song)|From This Moment On]]"^ – Harrison Howell and Lilli
* "Bianca" – Bill and Ensemble
* "So in Love" (Reprise) – Fred
* "Brush Up Your Shakespeare" – First Gangster and Second Gangster
* "I Am Ashamed That Women Are So Simple" – Katherine
* "Kiss Me, Kate" (Reprise/Finale) – Company
{{col-end}}

'''Notes'''
*In 1998, the original cast recording of the 1948 [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]] production was inducted into the [[Grammy]] Hall of Fame.
*The song ''From This Moment On'', originally from Porter's 1951 musical ''[[Out of This World (musical)|Out of This World]]'', was added to [[Kiss Me Kate (film)|the 1953 film version]] of ''Kiss Me Kate''. This song was also added to Act II, between ''Always True to You in My Fashion'' and ''Bianca'', in the 1999 revival.
*For the 2019 revival, "I Am Ashamed That Women Are So Simple" was changed to "I Am Ashamed That People Are So Simple."
*^ songs were cut from the [[Kiss Me, Kate (2024 film)|2024 London revival]].

==Film and television==
A [[Kiss Me Kate (film)|film version of the same name]] was released in 1953. There have been at least five television productions, the first on ''[[Hallmark Hall of Fame]]'' in 1958, with Drake and Morison reprising their Broadway roles,<ref>{{YouTube|id=093myaltXAY&t=132s|Alfred Drake, Patricia Morison in ''Kiss Me Kate'', "Hallmark Hall of Fame" TV production, November 20, 1958}}</ref> the second recorded for the launch of [[BBC Two]] in the UK in 1964, starring [[Howard Keel]], [[Patricia Morison]], [[Millicent Martin]] and [[Bill Owen (actor)|Bill Owen]]; the third in 1968 with then husband-and-wife team [[Robert Goulet]] and [[Carol Lawrence]],<ref>{{YouTube|id=abH_k0YhL04|Excerpt from "Kiss Me Kate" (1968 TV production) starring Robert Goulet and Carol Lawrence}}</ref> and the fourth in 2003 on ''[[Great Performances]]'', a high-definition shot performance of the London revival with [[Brent Barrett]] and [[Rachel York]]. The fifth, a live filming of the [[Kiss Me, Kate (2024 film)|2024 London revival]], which played in select movie theaters on November 17, 2024, aired as part of ''Great Performances'' on May 30, 2025.<ref name="Block-movie" /><ref>Culwell-Block, Logan and Hall, Margaret. [https://playbill.com/article/yellow-face-girl-from-the-north-country-london-kiss-me-kate-date-pbs-premieres "''Yellow Face'', ''Girl from the North Country'', London ''Kiss Me, Kate'' Sets PBS Air Dates"], ''Playbill'', March 3, 2025</ref>

==Awards and nominations==

===Original Broadway production===
{| class="wikitable" width="95%"
|-
! width="5%"| Year
! width="20%"| Award
! width="45%"| Category
! width="20%"| Nominee
! width="10%"| Result
|-
| rowspan="5" align="center"| 1949
| rowspan="5"| [[Tony Award]]
| colspan="2"| [[Tony Award for Best Musical|Best Musical]]
| {{won}}
|-
| [[Tony Award for Best Book of a Musical|Best Author (Musical)]]
| [[Samuel and Bella Spewack]]
| {{won}}
|-
| [[Tony Award for Best Original Score|Best Original Score]]
| [[Cole Porter]]
| {{won}}
|-
| [[Tony Award for Best Costume Design|Best Costume Design]]
| [[Lemuel Ayers]]
| {{won}}
|-
| [[Tony Award|Best Producer of a Musical]]
| [[Saint Subber]] and Lemuel Ayers
| {{won}}
|}

===1987 Royal Shakespeare Company UK revival===
{| class="wikitable" width="95%"
|-
! width="5%"| Year
! width="20%"| Award
! width="45%"| Category
! width="20%"| Nominee
! width="10%"| Result
|-
| rowspan="3" align="center"| 1987
| rowspan="3"| [[Laurence Olivier Award]]
| colspan="2"| [[Laurence Olivier Award for Best Musical Revival|Best Musical Revival]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Musical|Outstanding Performance of the Year by an Actor in a Musical]]
| [[John Bardon]] and [[Emil Wolk]]
| {{won}}
|-
| [[Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical|Outstanding Performance of the Year by an Actress in a Musical]]
| [[Nichola McAuliffe]]
| {{won}}
|}

===1999 Broadway revival===
{| class="wikitable" width="95%"
|-
! width="5%"| Year
! width="20%"| Award
! width="45%"| Category
! width="20%"| Nominee
! width="10%"| Result
|-
| rowspan="22" align="center"| [[54th Tony Awards|2000]]
| rowspan="12"| [[Tony Award]]
| colspan="2"| [[Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical|Best Revival of a Musical]]
| {{won}}
|-
| [[Tony Award for Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical|Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical]]
| [[Brian Stokes Mitchell]]
| {{won}}
|-
| [[Tony Award for Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical|Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical]]
| [[Marin Mazzie]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| rowspan="3"| [[Tony Award for Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical|Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical]]
| [[Michael Berresse]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Lee Wilkof]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Michael Mulheren]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Tony Award for Best Direction of a Musical|Best Direction of a Musical]]
| [[Michael Blakemore]]
| {{won}}
|-
| [[Tony Award for Best Choreography|Best Choreography]]
| [[Kathleen Marshall]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Tony Award for Best Orchestrations|Best Orchestrations]]
| [[Don Sebesky]]
| {{won}}
|-
| [[Tony Award for Best Scenic Design|Best Scenic Design]]
| [[Robin Wagner (designer)|Robin Wagner]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Tony Award for Best Costume Design|Best Costume Design]]
| [[Martin Pakledinaz]]
| {{won}}
|-
| [[Tony Award for Best Lighting Design|Best Lighting Design]]
| [[Peter Kaczorowski]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| rowspan="10"| [[Drama Desk Award]]
| colspan="2"| [[Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Revival of a Musical|Outstanding Revival of a Musical]]
| {{won}}
|-
| [[Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actor in a Musical|Outstanding Actor in a Musical]]
| [[Brian Stokes Mitchell]]
| {{won}}
|-
| [[Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actress in a Musical|Outstanding Actress in a Musical]]
| [[Marin Mazzie]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| rowspan="2"| [[Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical|Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical]]
| [[Michael Mulheren]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Lee Wilkof]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Director of a Musical|Outstanding Director of a Musical]]
| [[Michael Blakemore]]
| {{Won}}
|-
| [[Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Choreography|Outstanding Choreography]]
| [[Hanya Holm]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Orchestrations|Outstanding Orchestrations]]
| [[Don Sebesky]]
| {{won}}
|-
| [[Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Set Design|Outstanding Set Design]]
| [[Robin Wagner (designer)|Robin Wagner]]
| {{won}}
|-
| [[Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Costume Design|Outstanding Costume Design]]
| [[Martin Pakledinaz]]
| {{won}}
|}

===2001 London revival===
{| class="wikitable" width="95%"
|-
! width="5%"| Year
! width="20%"| Award
! width="45%"| Category
! width="20%"| Nominee
! width="10%"| Result
|-
| rowspan="11" align="center"| 2002
| rowspan="9"| [[Laurence Olivier Award]]
| colspan="2"| [[Laurence Olivier Award for Best Musical Revival|Best Musical Revival]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Musical|Best Actor in a Musical]]
| [[Brent Barrett]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical|Best Actress in a Musical]]
| [[Marin Mazzie]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| rowspan="2"| [[Laurence Olivier Award for Best Performance in a Supporting Role in a Musical|Best Performance in a Supporting Role in a Musical]]
| Nancy Anderson
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Michael Berresse]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Laurence Olivier Award for Best Director of a Musical|Best Director of a Musical]]
| [[Michael Blakemore]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Laurence Olivier Award for Best Theatre Choreographer|Best Theatre Choreographer]]
| [[Kathleen Marshall]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Laurence Olivier Award for Best Set Design|Best Set Design]]
| [[Robin Wagner (designer)|Robin Wagner]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Laurence Olivier Award for Best Costume Design|Best Costume Design]]
| [[Martin Pakledinaz]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Evening Standard Award]]
| colspan="2"| Best Musical
| {{won}}
|-
| [[The Critics Circle|Critics Circle Award]]
| colspan="2"| Best Musical
| {{won}}
|}

===2012 London revival===
{| class="wikitable" width="95%"
|-
! width="5%"| Year
! width="20%"| Award
! width="45%"| Category
! width="20%"| Nominee
! width="10%"| Result
|-
| rowspan="5" align="center"| 2013<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.olivierawards.com/nominations/|title=2014 New Musical – Official Site|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141016165548/http://www.olivierawards.com/nominations/|archive-date=October 16, 2014}}</ref>
| rowspan="5"| [[Laurence Olivier Award]]
| colspan="2"| [[Laurence Olivier Award for Best Musical Revival|Best Musical Revival]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Musical|Best Actor in a Musical]]
| Alex Bourne
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical|Best Actress in a Musical]]
| [[Hannah Waddingham]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Laurence Olivier Award for Best Performance in a Supporting Role in a Musical|Best Performance in a Supporting Role in a Musical]]
| [[Adam Garcia]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Laurence Olivier Award for Best Theatre Choreographer|Best Theatre Choreographer]]
| [[Stephen Mear]]
| {{nom}}
|}

===2019 Broadway revival===
{| class="wikitable" style="width:100%;"
!Year
!'''Award'''
!'''Category'''
!'''Nominee'''
!'''Result'''
|-
| rowspan="12" align="center" | 2019
| rowspan="4" |[[Tony Award]]
| colspan="2" |[[Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical|Best Revival of a Musical]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical|Best Actress in a Musical]]
| [[Kelli O'Hara]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Tony Award for Best Choreography|Best Choreography]]
| [[Warren Carlyle]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Tony Award for Best Orchestrations|Best Orchestrations]]
| [[Larry Hochman]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| rowspan="3"| [[Drama Desk Award]]
| colspan="2"| [[Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Revival of a Musical|Outstanding Revival of a Musical]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical|Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical]]
| [[Corbin Bleu]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Choreography|Outstanding Choreography]]
| Warren Carlyle
| {{win}}
|-
| rowspan="2" |[[Drama League Award]]s<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.broadway.com/buzz/195505/nominations-announced-for-85th-annual-drama-league-awards/|title=Nominations Announced for 85th Annual Drama League Awards|last=Lefkowitz|first=Andy|date=2019-04-17|website=Broadway.com|access-date=2019-04-17}}</ref>
| colspan="2" |Outstanding Revival of a Broadway or Off-Broadway Musical
|{{win}}
|-
|Distinguished Performance Award
|Kelli O’Hara
|{{nom}}
|-
| rowspan="3" |[[Outer Critics Circle Award]]s<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.broadway.com/buzz/195573/hadestown-tootsie-oklahoma-lead-2019-outer-critics-circle-award-nominations/|title=Hadestown, Tootsie & Oklahoma! Lead 2019 Outer Critics Circle Award Nominations|last=Lefkowitz|first=Andy|date=2019-04-23|website=Broadway.com|access-date=2019-04-23}}</ref>
| colspan="2" |Outstanding Revival of a Musical (Broadway or Off-Broadway)
|{{nom}}
|-
|Outstanding Choreographer
|Warren Carlyle
|{{win}}
|-
|Outstanding Actress in a Musical
|Kelli O'Hara
|{{nom}}
|}

===2024 London revival===
{| class="wikitable" style="width:100%;"
!Year
!'''Award'''
!'''Category'''
!'''Nominee'''
!'''Result'''
|-
| rowspan="2" align="center" | 2024
| rowspan="2" |[[WhatsOnStage Awards]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.whatsonstage.com/news/the-25th-annual-whatsonstage-awards-full-list-of-nominees_1656207/|title=The 25th Annual WhatsOnStage Awards: full list of nominees|last=Millword|first=Tom|date=2024-12-09|website=WhatsOnStage.com|access-date=2025-03-08}}</ref>
| colspan="2" |Best Musical Revival
|{{nom}}
|-
|Best Choreography
|[[Anthony Van Laast]]
|{{nom}}
|}

==Notes==
{{Reflist}}

==References==
*McBrien, William (2000). ''Cole Porter''. Reprint edition. New York: Knopf. {{ISBN|0-679-72792-2}}
*Stempel, Larry (2010). ''Showtime: A History of the Broadway Musical Theater''. New York: W.W. Norton and Company. {{ISBN|0-393-92906-X}}
*[http://www.tamswitmark.com/musicals/kissmekate.html Information from the TamsWitmark website]
*[http://www.imagi-nation.com/moonstruck/albm60.html Information from the Imagination website]

==External links==
*{{ibdb show|5083}}
*[http://www.sondheimguide.com/porter/index.html "Cole Porter Reference Guide"] at Stephen Sondheim site, compiled by Michael H. Hutchins
*[https://www.pbs.org/wnet/gperf/kiss-me-kate-a-smashing-revival/123/ PBS review of 1999 Broadway production - "A Smashing Revival", by Michael Coveney]
*[https://archive.org/stream/variety173-1949-01#page/n258/mode/1up Review of original Broadway production] at ''Variety''

{{Commons category}}
{{The Taming of the Shrew}}
{{Kiss Me, Kate}}
{{Cole Porter}}
{{Samuel and Bella Spewack}}
{{Navboxes
|title = Awards for ''Kiss Me, Kate''
|list = 
{{DramaDesk MusicalRevival 1994–2000}}
{{TonyAwardBestMusical 1947–1975}}
{{TonyAward MusicalRevival 1994–2000}}
{{TonyAward MusicalScore 1947–1975}}
}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Kiss Me, Kate| ]]
[[Category:Musicals by Cole Porter]]
[[Category:1948 musicals]]
[[Category:Broadway musicals]]
[[Category:Drama Desk Award–winning musicals]]
[[Category:Modern adaptations of works by William Shakespeare]]
[[Category:Plays and musicals based on The Taming of the Shrew]]
[[Category:West End musicals]]
[[Category:Grammy Hall of Fame Award recipients]]
[[Category:United States National Recording Registry recordings]]
[[Category:American plays adapted into films]]
[[Category:Tony Award for Best Musical]]
[[Category:Tony Award–winning musicals]]
[[Category:Backstage musicals]]