Roundabout confirms dates and theatre for Kiss Me, Kate, starring Kelli O'Hara

The Roundabout's Broadway revival of Kiss Me, Kate is scheduled to begin performances on February 14, 2019 at Studio 54.

Roundabout Theatre Company have now announced further details for the upcoming Broadway revival of the classic Cole Porter musical comedy Kiss Me, Kate, starring Tony Award winner Kelli O'Hara as Kate and Lilli Vanessi. Previews will 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.

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, 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 features a book by Sam and Bella Spewack, with music & lyrics by Cole Porter, including such classics as "So In Love," "Too Darn Hot," and "Always True To You In My Fashion."

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."

Roundabout Theatre Company's Artistic Director Todd Haimes previously commented: "Kelli O'Hara is inarguably one of the best actresses in the American theater and a dear friend to Roundabout. We have been talking about projects for years and it is particularly thrilling to celebrate her return to Roundabout in a role that will showcase her impeccable range and virtuosic talent as a singer, actress and comedienne, just as she did in our production of The Pajama Game a decade ago. Putting together a season is always a puzzle of timing and availability, with Roundabout's particular pendulum swinging among revivals, a commitment to new work and when it's right, musicals. The stars aligned on Kiss Me, Kate - and we are honored to have my beloved colleagues Scott Ellis, Warren Carlyle and Kelli O'Hara back at Roundabout."

Additional casting for the revival will be announced at a later date.

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 staged a sold-out benefit concert reading of the musical, starring Ms. O'Hara and directed by Scott Ellis, in 2016.

Kelli O'Hara was last seen on Broadway in her Tony Award-winning performance as Anna Leonowens in the Lincoln Center Theater revival of the Rodgers and Hammerstein classic The King and I. She is scheduled to reprise the role at the London Palladium from June 21, 2018. Ms. O'Hara is one of Broadway's most celebrated performers and prior to her Tony Award win for The King and I, she received a total of five Tony Award nominations - for The Bridges of Madison County (in 2014), Nice Work If You Can Get It (in 2012), South Pacific (in 2008), The Pajama Game (in 2006), and for The Light in the Piazza (in 2005). Her eariler Broadway credits include Dracula the Musical, Sweet Smell of Success, Follies, and Jekyll & Hyde.