Kiss Me, Kate at Reprise Theater Company

Wednesday night, the Fans of MuMo journeyed over to UCLA’s Freud Playhouse to catch Reprise Theatre Company’s production of KISS ME, KATE starring one of our favorite “gorgeous ladies of MuMo,” Lesli Margherita.  The lovely Ms. Margherita most recently came to play with us for Ryan O’Connor’s birthday celebration and appeared last month in a critically acclaimed production of Little Shop Of Horrors for La Mirada Theatre of the Performing Arts.  Also appearing in the production is Michael Motroni, another Fan favorite.

Reprise’s production, directed by Michael Michetti with music direction by Michael Paternostro, is an ambitious one, with an inventive set, eye-catching costumes and choreography by Lee Martino that had the lobby abuzz with praise as early as intermission.  Tom Hewitt gives a spirited performance as Fred/Petruchio, Meg Gillentine (Lois/Bianca) and Sean Martin Hingston (Bill/Lucentio) offer striking interpretations of their respective roles, and the ensemble and supporting characters endow the production with notable atmosphere.  Jay Brian Winnick and Herschel Sparber as First Man and Second Man were audience favorites from their first entrance to their charming rendition of “Brush Up Your Shakespeare.”

Some Fans with Lesli Margherita

It is Lesli Margherita’s star turn in her fresh take on the title character, however, that steals the show.  Though we’ve long known that she is a performer to be reckoned with, in KISS ME, KATE she handles her dual roles with aplomb.  Kate has never been more wild-cattish or appealing.  Ms. Margherita’s “I Hate Men” is a tour de force, and in it she is at her comic best, giving it an elegant raunchiness even Shakespeare couldn’t have imagined.  It’s not just her songs, wonderful as each one is, that mark her performance as something special; her stage presence is compelling even when she is not part of the main action, and her comedic timing in every scene is, as always, brilliant.  In the end, the biggest problem with her performance is that there isn’t more of it.

This review cannot come to a close without noting Michael Motroni’s delightful contributions to the ensemble.  Whether he’s pushing scenery or adding color to the background action, he’s simply enchanting.

If last night’s audience was any indication, as it surely was, KISS ME, KATE will enjoy a successful run playing to enthusiastic audiences until it closes on May 22. ~ Katherine Simon

KISS ME, KATE plays in the Freud Playhouse at UCLA

 (405 Hilgard Ave., Westwood) now through May 22.  

Special MuMo promo code: KISS for $10 off the price of your ticket!!!!

 Reserve your tickets by calling (310) 825-2101 or visiting www.reprise.org.