'Kiss Me, Kate' takes stage at Neuqua Valley High School
Being a thespian portraying a thespian who is playing a character is no easy task, whether you're a first-timer or old vet to high school musicals.
But Neuqua Valley students have had fun figuring it all out as they present their spring musical, "Kiss Me, Kate," by Bella and Sam Spewack with music by Cole Porter. The curtain goes up at 7:30 p.m. today and Saturday, April 30 and May 1.
Director Lisa Southern, an English teacher, said the behind-the-scenes tale of a present-day theatrical troupe presenting Shakespeare's "The Taming of the Shrew" in Baltimore was selected because of its zany characters and lively music.
The cast includes actor Fred Graham and his former wife, Lilli, along with Bill Calhoun, an irresponsible gambler, and the girl he's interested in, Lois Lane.
"This show is filled with crazy characters and is the ultimate tale of the battle of sexes," Southern said. "It's wonderful and it's highlighted by Ally Gargano, who plays our lead, Lilli Vanessi. She has a voice like I've never heard and she has pipes like nobody's business."
Sophomore Hanna Elmgren also has drawn praise from Southern for her portrayal of the flirty Lois Lane.
"It's nuts because Lois is so flirty and over the top and that's truly, completely different from who I am in real life," Elmgren said. "So I've had a lot of fun bringing Lois and her 'Shrew' character, Bianca, to life."
Senior and student director Akash Bhatia said he expects the performance to propel him from his high school performance days with a bang.
"I've been in 'Les Mis' and 'Guys and Dolls' and they were awesome, but this show has helped me discover that I truly love directing," Bhatia said. "And as a student director, there aren't too many more complex shows out there you can work on. This is a biggie."
He wouldn't spoil the production for anyone not familiar with the musical but he did share one piece of advice Tuesday from his director's chair.
"Be in your seats early because the opening is not to be missed," he said. "Our performers, set crew and musicians have worked very hard on it and from where I'm sitting, I think they've nailed it."
Cast list
Fred/Petruchio: Bryson David Hoff
Lilli Vanessi/Kate: Ally Gargano
Bill Calhoun/Lucentio: George Bischoff
Lois Lane/Bianca: Hanna Elmgren
Ensemble: Vicki Price, Michael Cahill, Jesse Goddard, Elliott Litherland, Jake Korell, Joey Amaro, Zack Hirsch, Matt Pinion, Michael Coduto, Nathan Sliwa, Mickey Terlep, Connor Boyle, Ryan Lacy
Vocal Ensemble: Anna Dvorchak, Kiersten Myles, Michelle Caballero, Katelyn Fink, Emily D'Ambrose, Maria Caballero, June Urasky, Lauren Maloney, Prartana Ramachandran, Olivia Flores, Amanda Childs, Karlie Jager, Gretchen Andsager, Abby Hanneman, Ginny Randall, Nicole Jordan Mark, Emily Dunne, Paige Peterson, Caroline Dusenbury, Caitlin Bergstrom, Pavitra Ramachandran, Brittany Knapp, Ariana Babczenko, Erin Kelley, Kelsey Sante, Ella Duangkaew, Deanna Wisniewski, Bill Andrews, Lukasz Gasionowski, Brian Dunkel, Danny Hess, Connor O'Leary, Mark Yacullo, Dominic Glimco
Student directors: Trevor Alt, Akash Bhatia, Courtney Ross
Director's cut: 'Kiss Me, Kate' pits men against women
Lisa Southern is directing Neuqua Valley's production of "Kiss Me, Kate." Her thoughts on the play:
"Kiss Me, Kate" is a musical comedy written in 1948 by Sam and Bella Spewack with music and lyrics by Cole Porter.
The stars of the new musical version of "The Taming of the Shrew," currently trying out in Baltimore, are the egomaniac Fred Graham and diva movie star Lilli Vanessi, who were once married to each other but are now divorced and still fighting.
Lilli thinks Fred sent her a beautiful bouquet, leading her to believe he still loves her, but later learns the flowers were really meant for flirty "Shrew" cast mate Lois Lane. Lilli has no plans of staying in the show now that she knows the truth; therefore she plans to walk out during the performance!
Unfortunately, Lilli leaving is not Fred's only problem. His trouble is multiplied when another actor, Bill Calhoun, signs Fred's name to a gambling debt.
Opening night is interrupted by arguments between Fred and Lilli, and by the demands of two gangsters looking for payment of the IOU.
Fred convinces the men that they must force Lilli to perform in order to get their money, which they do until their boss is wiped out and the IOU becomes invalid.
"Kiss Me, Kate" is the quintessential story of the women versus men.
<p class="factboxtext12col"><b>What:</b> "Kiss Me Kate"</p>
<p class="factboxtext12col"><b>When:</b> 7:30 p.m. today and Saturday, April 30 and May 1</p>
<p class="factboxtext12col"><b>Where:</b> Neuqua Valley High School, 2360 95th St., Naperville</p>
<p class="factboxtext12col"><b>Cost:</b> $11 for adults, $5 for students and seniors</p>
<p class="factboxtext12col"><b>Info:</b> (630) 428-6000 or <a href="http://nvhs.ispd.org" target="new">nvhs.ispd.org</a></p>