By Emily Bylund
“Kiss Me Kate” may be inspired by a Shakespeare play, but you don”t have to be a literature buff to enjoy the show opening tonight at the SCERA.
The production runs through July 21 at the SCERA Shell Outdoor Theatre, 699 S. State St., Orem. Performances run nightly at 8 p.m., except Sundays and Wednesdays. General admission is $10 for adults, $8 for students, seniors and children.
The show follows fictional actors Fred Graham and Lilli Vanessi, who are divorced but performing opposite each other in the roles of Petruchio and Katherine in a musical version of the Shakespeare”s “Taming of the Shrew.”
“The play is a mix of Shakespeare and jazz,” director Chris Clark said. “It is a musical comedy that shows how life on-stage often mirrors life off-stage.”
Clark, who cast the lead roles, said the heart of the play is the two real-life lead actors, Rosanna Ungerman and David Hanson.
“Rosanna was actually my high school drama teacher,” Clark said. “I”ve known her for years and I am so excited be able to direct her now. Both Rosanna and David have such maturity and strong talent that I know they will make the show amazing.”
Hanson said the play”s fun characters make it a comedy the audience can relate to.
“Fred Graham especially is a relatable character because he has been working in the industry for years without really finding his niche,” Hanson said. “He is always looking forward to something but living in the past, and I know people can connect to that.”
There are four BYU students in the play: Scott Bowen, Kelly Hennessey, Steven Purdy and Emily Dabczynski.
“I love performing in front of a live audience,” said Dabczynski, an English major from Provo, who plays Lilli”s assistant Hattie. “There is such a fun energy that is shared between the cast and the audience that you can”t get any other way.”
Clark said even though the show is based on a Shakespeare play, viewers don”t need to be familiar with “Taming of the Shrew” to enjoy the performance.
“It isn”t a Shakespeare play; it just has Shakespearean elements,” Clark said. “It also includes a lot of jazz, so it will be a fun night for everyone to enjoy under the stars.”
