Kiss Me Kate, which St. Petersburg Opera is producing at the Palladium over the next two weekends, was actually Cole Porter’s “comeback” musical.
Cole Porter
After a string of hit shows throughout the ’30s and early 1940s, Porter wrote a couple of flops that produced no hit songs and the critics were saying Cole’s best days were behind him. He wasn’t even the first choice to score Kiss Me Kate.
But he got the gig and in 1948 Kiss Me Kate went on to become Cole’s biggest hit (running for 1007 performances) and it included a string of great tunes, including Too Darn Hot, So In Love, Brush Up Your Shakespeare and more. Two of my favorites: Always True To You In My Fashion and Why Can’t You Behave, are also in this incredible score.
SPO is presenting the show with the original size Broadway orchestra. I’ve heard the rehearsals and it sounds wonderful.
Shows are this Saturday and Sunday (Feb. 2 and 3) at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 5, at 7:30 p.m. and Friday, Feb. 8 at 7:30 and Sunday, Feb. 10 at 2. Tickets are on sale now at the SPO box office. Tickets will be available at the Palladium box office starting tomorrow afternoon.
I’m really excited about this one and I hope to see you at the theater!
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