James T. Lane & more complete the cast of Kiss Me, Kate on Broadway

The Roundabout Theatre Company revival of Kiss Me, Kate begins performances at Studio 54 on February 14, 2019.

We are "So In Love" with this news! Broadway alum James T. Lane completes the principal cast for Roundabout Theatre Company's eagerly anticipated Broadway revival of the classic Cole Porter musical comedy Kiss Me, Kate!, taking on the role of Paul.

Mr. Lane's previous Broadway and West End credits include The Scottsboro Boys and A Chorus Line. He has also appreared in the Broadway production of Chicago and the National Tours of Jersey Boys, Cinderella, and Fame. He can currently be seen in the Broadway premiere of King Kong.

He joins previously announced cast members Tony Award winner Kelli O'Hara (as Kate / Lilli Vanessi), Tony Award nominee Will Chase (as Fred Graham / Petruchio), Corbin Bleu (as Bill Calhoun / Lucentio), Terence Archie (as Harrison Howell), Mel Johnson Jr. (as Harry Trevor/Baptista), Stephanie Styles (as Lois Lane/Bianca), Adrienne Walker (as Hattie), Lance Coadie Williams (as Gangster [Second Man]), and John Pankow (as Gangster [First Man]).

The ensemble features Darius Barnes, Preston Truman Boyd, Will Burton, Derrick Cobey, Jesmille Darbouze, Rick Faugno, Haley Fish, Tanya Haglund, Erica Mansfield, Marissa McGowan, Sarah Meahl, Justin Prescott, Christine Cornish Smith, Sherisse Springer, Sam Strasfeld and Travis Waldschmidt.

Kiss Me, Kate! features a book by Sam and Bella Spewack (with additional material by Amanda Green), with music & lyrics by Cole Porter, including such classics as "So In Love," "Too Darn Hot," and "Always True To You In My Fashion."

Previews are set to begin on February 14, 2019 at Studio 54, ahead of an official opening on March 14 and a limited engagement through to June 2, 2019.

Synopsis: "Kiss Me, Kate! tells the story of the staging of a musical adaptation of Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew and follows the conflicted relationship (on and off-stage) between the production's stars - Fred Graham (who also produces and directs) and his ex-wife Lilli Vanessi."

Directed by eight-time Tony Award nominee Scott Ellis and choregraphed by Tony Award winner Warren Carlyle, the production also features music direction by Paul Gemignani, orchestrations by Larry Hochman, dance arrangements by David Chase, scenic design by David Rockwell, costume design by Jeff Mahshie, lighting design by Donald Holder, sound design by Brian Ronan and hair & wig design by David Brian Brown.

Kiss Me, Kate originally premiered on Broadway in 1948 and went on to win the first-ever Tony Award for "Best Musical" in 1949 and ran for a total of 1,077 performances. The musical enjoyed a short-lived revival at the Broadway Theatre in 1952 and, more recently, at the Martin Beck Theatre from October 1999 through to December 2001, playing a total of 881 performances and winning the Tony Award for "Best Revival of a Musical". Roundabout Theatre Company's 2016 benefit concert reading of the musical, starring Ms. O'Hara and Mr. Chase, was also directed by Scott Ellis.

Kiss Me, Kate! Tickets are available now for performances from February 14 through to June 2, 2019.