Kiss me, Kate
Musical in two acts by Cole Porter
Text by Samuel and Bella Spewack
German text version by Susanne Wolf
3 hours
Introduction ... 30 minutes before the beginning of the performance, Foyer
Debut performance 1948 - Premiere on 31 May 2008
In the theatre, intricacies arise from the mix of role and private matters. Indeed, in Cole Porter's »Kiss me, Kate« they do not end so fatally as in Leoncavallo's »Bajazzo« but they are still painful: so, Lilli, the Kate of the play in the play, cannot act as planned for the injuries, she has contracted through a stage fight, which was pepped by private diligence. These and similar catastrophes have to be mastered. Besides, some of the of the most amazing theatre clichés are added and presented: from the promiscuous ensemble to gambling and alcoholism up to implications with racketeers.
In the music of the 20th century, which in the scope of culture may be absolutely described as »American Century«, there are two original American innovations: the »popular song« and –related to it – the genre of the musical. There is no other form of the music theatre, which became accepted in a comparable way in the last centuries and as well, or: above all, which has celebrated such great profits. Cole Porter's musical »Kiss me, Kate« was first released in 1948. It was not just one of the greatest Broadway successes of all times, but also developed to one of the most essential plays of the genre – and it contains with »Wunderbar« or »Too darn hot« some of the most famous Porter-songs. Barry Kosky will prove, that there are hidden profundities and swirls under the seemingly glossy surface of entertainment – nevertheless, he also savours entirely the speedy side of backstage comedy.
»Kiss me, Kate« has been elected »performance of the year« 2007/2008 by the members of the TheaterGemeinde Berlin.
Dagmar Manzel receives the BZ-Kulturpreis 2009 for her role as Lilli Vanessi/Katharina in »Kiss me, Kate«.