Kristin Towers-Rowles Stars in KISS ME KATE

Jan. 9, 2011 - PRLog -- For Kristin Towers-Rowles, this will be the first time she has attempted to play a role made famous by her grandmother, star of the screen and stage, Kathryn Grayson.  Grayson is perhaps best known for her roles in “Anchors Aweigh” with Gene Kelly and Frank Sinatra, and “Showboat” with Howard Keel as well as the 1953 MGM film adaptation of the musical, “Kiss Me Kate“.  In February, her grand daughter, Kristin Towers-Rowles will play Lilli Vanessi/Katharine at Warner Grand Theatre in “Kiss Me Kate”.  Originally planned in January 2010 to be performed at this time as a tribute to her grandmother while she was living, the production takes on an additional poignancy opening on the exact one year anniversary of her death, February 17, 2011.

The Relevant Stage is proud to present a musical comedy masterpiece by composer Cole Porter and authors Sam and Bella Spewack which not only enchanted critics and delighted audiences, but also went on to triumph as one of the biggest prize-winners of the 2000 season. Taking its inspiration from Shakespeare, “Kiss Me, Kate” recounts the backstage and onstage antics of two feuding romantic couples during a touring musical production of “Shrewsical” a tune-filed adaptation of “The Taming of The Shrew”.  Sparkling with 18 classic Cole Porter songs — including “Another Op’nin’, Another Show,” “Wunderbar,” “So In Love,” “Always True to You in My Fashion,” “Too Darn Hot,” and “Brush Up Your Shakespeare” — “Kiss Me, Kate” epitomizes the Broadway musical comedy at its irresistible best. Directed by Ray Buffer, this 2000 Tony-winner for Best Revival stars Kristin Towers Rowles, Ray Buffer, Jessica Marie Taylor and Drew Fitzsimmons as the bickering couples whose offstage disputes ultimately entangle them with a pair of unexpectedly erudite gangsters (Greg Abbot and Michael Jay Aronovitz) and a megalomaniacal U.S. Army general (Martin Feldman).  Cole Porter’s most successful musical, the original production of “Kiss Me, Kate” opened on Broadway at the New Century Theatre on December 30, 1948 and ran for 1,077 performances. It garnered five Tony Awards in 1949, the same number the revival claimed in 2000.  Don’t miss your  chance to see this fabulous production in San Pedro for a limited engagement of two weekends. Opening February 17, and playing for 12 performances until February 27.

Enjoy it at WARNER GRAND THEATRE - Celebrating 80 Years!  478 West 6th Street - San Pedro, CA  90731.  It is a facility of the City of Los Angeles.  Tickets may be purchased at Williams Book Store in Downtown San Pedro, or online at therelevantstage.com or by phone at 1-800-838-3006.  Tickets range from $20 to $30 for adults, $15 to $25 for Seniors 55+ and current adult students, and $5 to $10 for 18 and under.

The Relevant Stage is a non-profit 501(c) 3 arts organization based in San Pedro, CA, in residence at Warner Grand Theatre for its 4th exciting season.

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The Relevant Stage Theatre Company performs in residence at The Warner Grand Theatre in San Pedro, CA. TRS' mission is to challenge hearts, engage minds and expose truths. TRS tells relevant stories about the contemporary world we share.