Stephanie J. Block in Kiss Me, Kate – London

[imeldasturn]

Posted: 1/17/24 at 2:29am

Trafalgar Theatre Productions, in collaboration with the Barbican, has announced the revival of Kiss Me, Kate, directed by Bartlett Sher and led by Stephanie J Block & Adrian Dunbar.

Hailed as Cole Porter’s greatest musical comedy, the production is set for a 15-week run at the Barbican Theatre starting on 4 June 2024, with a press night scheduled for 18 June, concluding on 14 September. Public booking opens on 19 January 2024.

Updated On: 1/17/24 at 02:29 AM

[devonian.t]

Posted: 1/17/24 at 3:37am

I hope the book gets a trim.

[Jeffrey Karasarides]

Posted: 1/17/24 at 7:55am

I find it interesting Bartlett Sher is directing this given that he's not typically known for doing full fledged comedies.

[RippedMan]

Posted: 1/17/24 at 8:42am

Assuming this will eventually find its way to nyc. 

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 1/17/24 at 8:47am

I wouldn’t be too sure of that. We just had a major revival of the show with Kelli, a few years ago. 

[Jeffrey Karasarides]

Posted: 1/17/24 at 8:52am

Then again, we've had 2 Broadway revivals of La Cage aux Folles that took place within 5 years. Same with Gypsy.

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 1/17/24 at 8:54am

RippedMan said: "Assuming this will eventually find its way to nyc."

Unlikely. Broadway had it in 2019:

 

[QueenAlice]

Posted: 1/17/24 at 9:41am

Kiss Me Kate and Guys and Dolls are two of the most regularly revived musicals in the UK. This will be, I believe the 6th or 7th major production of Kiss Me Kate to play London since the 1970s. I think the musical is perhaps more problematic to contemporary American audiences. I wouldn't really suspect this production  to come to the states unless its an absolute triumph. 

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 1/17/24 at 10:03am

QueenAlice said: "I wouldn't really suspect this production to come to the states unless its an absolute triumph."

This.

Sher wouldn't be my first or even fifth choice to direct this musical comedy, but maybe it will help him reset after the disasters of Camelot and Photos from Home.

Wonder what version of the book it will use?

[fashionguru_23]

Posted: 1/17/24 at 10:38am

Interesting to note is that Sher is bringing his classic design team of Michael Yeargan (sets) Catherine Zuber (Costumes), and Donald Holder (lighting) for this production. 

[QueenAlice]

Posted: 1/17/24 at 11:12am

One observation that I find kind of interesting -- when Sher was going to direct the revival of FUNNY GIRL, apparently Stephanie Block was the finalist for the role, and was privately shocked when Lauren Ambrose was announced at the 11th hour instead. That revival didn't happen, but Sher used Ambrose as Eliza in MY FAIR LADY. Going back to PIAZZA, Sher fired Ceila Keenan Bolger, but later hired her to play Scout in TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD. Now Sher has come back to Block with a star role with KISS ME KATE.

I guess the lesson is - if you're a leading lady, and it doesn't work out with Sher the first time, he comes back around!

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 1/17/24 at 11:16am

Careers are long. Just because someone isn't the right fit for one role doesn't mean they won't be great for something down the line.

[Jarethan]

Posted: 1/17/24 at 2:15pm

Jeffrey Karasarides said: "Then again, we've had 2 Broadway revivals of La Cage aux Folles that took place within 5 years. Same with Gypsy."

I am unclear if any of those productions broke even.  I seem to recall that the Peters Gypsy did, and the better reviewed Lupone production came nowhere close.  I really don’t think that KMK is as ‘loved’ as Gypsy or La Cagr, but that may just be me.

i have never seen SJB live.  I did not think she had the kind of voice required for Lili.  Does she???

[RippedMan]

Posted: 1/17/24 at 2:54pm

Honestly, I forgot all about that production and I totally saw it. 

I feel like we mostly know Block for powerhouse vocals, so I think it'll be exciting to see her play something different. 

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 1/17/24 at 3:15pm

Neither GYPSY (03, 08) or LA CAGE (04, 10) revival recouped on Broadway. La Cage might have made a bit on the road, though it had a not-small weekly running cost for its deer-in-the-headlights star, George Hamilton.

[Highland Guy]

Posted: 1/17/24 at 3:27pm

I am not a particular fan of KMK, but I would (maybe will) happily fly 11 hours non-stop from my home to London to see SJB in this production. 

[Broadway Flash]

Posted: 1/17/24 at 6:38pm

Maybe this will be ATG’s next big revival. After Cabaret and Sunset, they’re gonna need something else. Since clearly they don’t do new musicals. 

[UWS10023]

Posted: 1/18/24 at 1:26am

I wonder if this production could make its way to the Beaumont. What is the age difference between the two lead actors?  I would imagine that the male actor would be very good in that part.

[Musicaldudepeter]

Posted: 1/18/24 at 6:39am

Probably like a 15 year age difference. The Dunbar casting is so bizarre. 

Block's casting brings to mind the scrapped production that was slated to be staged in the 80s starring Patti LuPone and Kevin Kline. That really would've been something. 

[SusaninBaltimore]

Posted: 1/18/24 at 7:44pm

I’ve heard Stephanie J. Block in WICKED, FALSETTOS, and SUNSET BOULEVARD. She is an amazing soprano with a fine range and will do a great job as Lili in KISS ME KATE. I’m worried about her British co-star who is not known as a singer. 

[bwaylvsong1]

Posted: 1/18/24 at 8:15pm

Her vocals will probably be similar to those of Rachel York in the Great Performances taping- wish I could go to London to see this!

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 1/18/24 at 9:21pm

SusaninBaltimore said: "I’m worried about her British co-star who is not known as a singer."

If you search "Adrian Dunbar sing" on YouTube, you will find numerous videos of him singing.

He'll be fine vocally, if not a revelation.

Fred Graham being 65 is certainly different for that character, when Lilli & Fred are usually both in their 30s-40s.

Updated On: 1/18/24 at 09:21 PM

[Jarethan]

Posted: 1/18/24 at 10:04pm

He is much too old for the role for me, but he may sell tickets in London.

[Musicaldudepeter]

Posted: 1/19/24 at 2:51am

Sher casts these shows meticulously and he usually takes at least a year to do so... I'm sure he has a concept in mind for this casting. I would love Block to lean in to the 'diva' nature of the role instead of the watered down vanilla Lili Kelli O'Hara gave us a few years ago. Talk about miscast. This is a romp of a show, and they would be better off approaching it so as Blakemore did in the 90s. 

[SusaninBaltimore]

Posted: 1/19/24 at 7:19am

Thanks so much!

Updated On: 1/19/24 at 07:19 AM