NEWS RELEASE

Contact: David West (west@nsula.edu )
News Bureau
Northwestern State University
Natchitoches, LA 71497
(318) 357-6466

6/13/2006

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NATCHITOCHES -Director Jack Wann was able to call on two of his talented former students to return to Natchitoches for the lead roles in the musical Kiss Me Kate, which opens Thursday at Northwestern State University.

Kiss Me Kate tells the tale of two once-married, now-divorced musical theater actors, Fred Grahame and Lilli Vannessi, who are performing opposite each other in a Broadway-bound musical version of William Shakespeare 's The Taming of the Shrew, in the roles of Petruchio and Katharina.

Already on poor terms, the pair begin an all-out emotional war midperformance when Lilli discovers Fred sent his latest fling (and the show's Bianca), Lois Lane, Lilli's wedding bouquet. The only thing keeping the show together are threats from a pair of gangsters: Lois's steady boyfriend (and the show's Lucentio), Bill Calhoun, loves to gamble, and to avoid the responsibility of paying his debts, he claimed to be Fred, and this show will provide the money Fred needs to avoid getting his fingers broken. In classic musical comedy fashion, madness ensues, and both pairs of lovers ultimately reconcile.

Eric Englehardt plays the role of Fred in the Cole Porter musical and Jena Westbrook plays Lilli.

T"he two main leads require very trained voices like Eric and Jena," said Wann. "I was lucky to be able to get them. They each fit the bill so wonderfully."

The play has elements setting it apart from a typical musical.

"Kiss Me Kate is a show within a show that lets the audience see what happens behind the scenes," said Westbrook. "There's a lot that goes into putting on a show and the audiences gets to see some of that."

Wann said Kiss Me Kate is one of his favorite plays and provides an irresistible combination for him.

"Kiss Me Kate is a combination of the best of musical theatre with Shakespeare," said Wann, who was the Northwestern Theatre's artistic director for 13 years. "Few are as witty as Cole Porter. His work could stand on its own as poetry, very funny poetry. Kiss Me Kate is among most critics' top three musicals. The play is nearly perfect with a great book and score."

Both Westbrook and Englehardt have been working professionally since graduating from Northwestern.

Westbrook has been an actress, director, teacher and talent agency consultant. Since having a child, she has worked as a director. Westbrook has also worked with the Indiana Art Council's Children's Center for Dance Education.

Englehardt taught band for four years, then pursued a career as an actor. He was in the national touring company of Cats and also appeared in a New York production of Cats. Englehardt also was in a Gilbert and Sullivan production in New York and had a role in a children's play which allowed him to earn his Equity Card.

Both Englehardt and Westbrook stay in touch with Wann. Englehardt and Wann have lunch or dinner once a week and Westbrook talks with Wann one or twice a month.

Because of other demands, the rehearsal schedule for Kiss Me Kate has been shorter than normal.

"These are two of the most demanding roles in musical theatre, " said Englehardt. "It's been stressful. This has been the toughest role I have had."

"We have spent most of our time going over lines and rehearsing," said Westbrook. "This has been a very hectic few weeks. This show has come together in a short period of time, but I know the audience will enjoy it."

Kiss Me Kate will be presented June 15-18 and 21-24 in the A.A. Fredericks Auditorium. Show time is 7:30 p.m. and 2 p.m. for the matinee on June 18. Tickets are $10. For more information, call (318) 357-4483 or (318) 357-6891.

Main Menu