CONTACT:
Ronn Goswick, Director of Public Relations
4350 E 7th Street
Long Beach, CA 90804
562-856-1999 ex 4 fax:
562-856-1997
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PRESS RELEASE

KISS ME, KATE auditions set for May 3 - 4, 2004

April 19, 2004 Musical Theatre West has set the auditions for the final production of its 51st Season, KISS ME, KATE. The unparalleled music of Cole Porter combines with the brilliance of Shakespeare in KISS ME, KATE. Using the Bard's THE TAMING OF THE SHREW to create a play-within-a-play, KISS ME, KATE combines hilarious backstage comedy with romance, sizzling dancing, and Cole Porter's finest score, including timeless songs like "Too Darn Hot," "Always True To You In My Fashion," "Another Op'nin', Another Show," "So In Love" and "Brush Up Your Shakespeare." This updated version won five Tony Awards in 2000, including Best Revival of a Musical.

Auditions are set for Monday and Tuesday, May 3 and 4 with the following schedule.

Non-union principal/singers will be seen by appointment only from 7:00 - 10:00 PM on May 3 by calling 562-856-1999 ex 7.

Equity principals are Tuesday, May 4 at 11:00 AM (Monitor arrives at 10:00 AM).

Male union dancers and non-union male and female dancers are at 6:30 PM on May 4. Dancers come warmed up and prepared to dance.

All auditions will be held at the Musical Theatre West Rehearsal Hall, 4350 E 7th Street, Long Beach.

Appointments are only needed for the auditions for non-union principals and singers. Callbacks will be as requested.

Character Breakdown:

Lilli Vanessi/Katharine Minola
Late 20's-40's, Legit Soprano
Glamorous leading lady, a diva, must move well, strong actress with sense of humor.

Bill Calhoun/Lucentio
30's, Character Baritone/Tenor
Broadway song-and-dance man, a chronic gambler, good comic timing.

Lois Lane/Bianca Minola
Mid 20's-30's, Belter/Mezzo-Soprano (to F)
Attractive, sexy, smart, good comic timing, great dancer, strong belt.

General Harrison Howell
40's-50's, Baritone Physically imposing, career military officer, stuffy, good comic timing.

First Man/Gangster
Mid-30's-50's, Character Baritone
Character actor, deadpan humor, New York accent, physically slight, moves well or dances.

Second Man/Gangster
Mid 30's-50's, Character Baritone
Character actor, deadpan humor, New York accent, physically imposing, moves well or dances.

Hattie
30's-50, Mezzo-Soprano (to F)
African-American, Lilli's dresser, great jazzy singer, sassy character, good comic timing.

Paul
30's-40,
Tenor African-American, Fred's dresser, great dancer, sings well, good comic timing. Attend dance call.

Harry Trevor/Baptista Minola
50's-60's
Strong character actor, good comic timing, sings and moves well.

Singing Ensemble
Men and Women, 20's-up, all vocal ranges, good character actors, should move well.

Dancing Ensemble
Men and Women, 20's-30's, strong jazz and tap, tumbling a plus for men, should sing well.

Smaller roles will be cast from the ensemble including Gremio, Hortensio, and Ralph.

KISS ME, KATE will be directed by Rick Sparks and choreographed by Jane Lanier with musical direction by Stephen Gothold and has a cast of 28. All roles are open except Fred Graham. The cast will be a mixture of union and non-union performers and rehearses for 3 weeks beginning June 14, 2004 for non-union and June 21, 2004 for Equity members. There are no roles for young children in the show and those auditioning should be 18 or older. All ethnicities are encouraged to audition.

Musical Theatre West is one of the oldest regional musical theatre companies in Southern California and produces four major productions annually at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center. KISS ME, KATE is the company's 122nd major production and will be performed July 10 - 25, 2004 at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center.

For more information contact the MTW office at 562-856-1999 ex 7