Kiss Me Kate Review

by Roger LeLievre | The Ann Arbor News
Friday June 12, 2009, 12:12 AM

In a word, "Kiss Me Kate" is "wunderbar."

In this case, it's appropriate to crib from one of the show's signature songs, since it perfectly sums up the Ann Arbor Civic Theater's production of the classic Cole Porter musical, which opened Thursday night.

The musical numbers were excellent, in fact they were some of the best I've ever seen Civic produce.
"Kate" tells the backstage story of a theater company that's mounting a production of Shakespeare's "The Taming of the Shrew." The show's two leads, Fred (Steve Grudzien) and Lilli (Minnita Daniel-Cox), are battling exes, and Fred's young fiancee, Lois (Kathy Waugh), secretly loves Bill (Norman Weber), who's gotten himself in arrears at the gaming tables. This makes Bill the object of a hunt by two gangsters (Rob Roy, Matt Steward), who almost steal the show with their note-perfect, very funny "Brush Up Your Shakespeare."

Grudzien is outstanding as the ego-driven leading man, an acting dynamo whose barbs can sting as much as his high notes can sing. His best number comes in the second act with "Where is the Life That Late I Led?" Despite his biting exchanges with Lili, it comes across loud and clear that he loves her and their sparring matches.

Daniel-Cox has no shortage of dynamism either, and her spark comes across in no uncertain terms in her solo, "I Hate Men." When she and Grudzien are on stage together, "Kiss Me Kate" really takes wings.

Waugh's "Always True to You (In My Fashion)" and Weber's "Bianca" are two other musical highlights, as is "Too Darn Hot" (featuring the singing of Chris Shewchenko) which opens the second act. By the time they were done, I was sweating!

Credit choreographers Rachel Francisco and DeeDee Ulintz for turning this cast - guys and gals - into first-rate hoofers. And kudos too to director Edmond Reynolds, who made sure the show's sense of humor stayed intact, and music director Tyler Driskill, whose orchestra was nearly note-perfect.

Speaking of which, having the musicians at the back of the stage rather than in the pit meant they are sometimes barely audible when there's a lot of scenery in front of them. I barely knew there was music for "We Open in Venice," which seemed sloppy and was the one disappointment of the show.

I also heartily wish Civic could conquer its microphone issues, a perennial problem with their shows. A blast of static here, an unexpected thud there, and an otherwise lovely number is marred. Otherwise, this "Kiss Me Kate" is pretty much perfect.

"Kiss Me Kate" continues at 8 p.m. tonight and Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday at Lydia Mendelssohn Theatre, 911 N. University Ave. Tickets are $20 ($17 for seniors, $12 for students). Info: 734-971-2228 or www.a2ct.org.