Olivier Award nominee Charlie Stemp and rising star Georgina Onuorah are the latest additions to the cast of Cole Porter’s classic Kiss Me, Kate at the Barbican this summer.
As previously announced, the high-profile production will star Line of Duty’s Adrian Dunbar making his musical theatre debut as Fred Graham/Petruchio opposite Tony Award winner Stephanie J Block (The Cher Show, Into the Woods) who will make her West End debut in the dual role of Lilli Vanessi/Katherine.
Stemp (Crazy For You, Mary Poppins) will play gambler Bill Calhoun/Lucentio alongside Onurofah (The Wizard of Oz, Oklahoma!) as Lois Lane/Bianca in the production which will be directed by multi-award-winner Bartlett Sher (My Fair Lady, The King and I).
Commenting on his casting in the production which will utilise the actor’s renowned tap-dancing skills, Stemp said: “Kiss Me, Kate has always been a favourite show of mine, so to get the chance to return to the West End so soon in this title and specifically opposite Adrian Dunbar, Stephanie J Block and Georgina Onuorah is a dream come true.”
Onuorah said: “I am thrilled to be involved in this reimagined Kiss Me, Kate – with a Lois/Bianca that looks like me! Bart Sher is a remarkable director and I am so excited to get working on this beloved musical with this wonderful team.”
Producer Howard Panter said: “I’m delighted that the dynamic Charlie Stemp and Georgina Onuorah are joining the cast of Kiss Me, Kate. Their youthful energy and exceptional talents will bring an exciting vibrancy to Cole Porter’s timeless masterpiece. Kiss Me, Kate is the perfect summer treat for London audiences this year. It’s fun, infectious and pure entertainment – it’s musical theatre at its very best.”
The new production of Porter’s Golden Age musical version of Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew will play a strictly limited engagement at the London theatre from 4 June until 14 September.
With an impressive 20 Tony Awards to their credit, the high-powered creative team for the production includes renowned choreographer Anthony Van Laast, accomplished costume designer Catherine Zuber and leading set designer Michael Yeargan. The team also includes lighting designer Donald Holder, sound designer Adam Fisher and music supervisor Stephen Ridley.
First staged on Broadway in 1948, the multi-award-winning musical features music and lyrics by Porter and a book by Bella and Samuel Spewack. The show features a number of the composer’s best-loved songs including ‘Too Darn Hot’, ‘Another Op’nin’ Another Show’, ‘Always True to You in My Fashion’ and ‘Brush Up Your Shakespeare’.
Angela Thomas
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