Director's Welcome
Dear Palisades School District Community and Guests,
Welcome to our performance of "Kiss Me, Kate!" -- one of the most beloved musical comedies of all time. I am honored to be directing this production and I want to thank you for being here with us tonight.
This show is a celebration of love, laughter and the power of musical theater. It tells the story of two feuding actors, Fred Graham and Lilli Vanessi, who are performing in a musical adaptation of Shakespeare's "The Taming of the Shrew." As they struggle to stay in character and keep their own personal drama under control, they find themselves falling in love all over again.
I am incredibly proud of our talented cast, crew, pit musicians, and staff who have worked tirelessly to bring this show to life. Their dedication, talent, and passion are what make this show truly special. Additionally, I would like to thank our Palisades School Administration and Board of Directors, whose unwavering commitment to keeping the arts as an integral part of the educational experience makes this production possible.
Get ready to be transported to the world of "Kiss Me, Kate!" -- a time quite different than our own. Throughout the production process, our students have critically studied this musical, as well as the source Shakespeare material. The composer of this show, Cole Porter, likely found kinship with "Kate." Despite the societal constraints of the time, Porter was openly gay within certain circles and lived an openly gay lifestyle. This resulted in Porter facing significant personal and professional challenges, including censorship of his work and social ostracism. However, Porter's hardships also served as a source of inspiration for his music and lyrics. Many of his songs are characterized by their wit, sophistication, and subversion of traditional gender roles. Through his music, Porter was able to express his true self and convey a message of acceptance and tolerance that was ahead of its time.
As the famous song says, "It's another openin', just another openin', of another show!"
Thank you and enjoy the show.
Sincerely,
Neil Hong
Producer, Palisades HS Theatre
