Character (offstage) |
Character (“Shrew”) |
Voice – Solos & linesin songs etc. |
Profile, playing age & build etc. |
Pops (stagedoorman) |
Plays Padua Priest |
Baritone. Another Op’nin’, Another Show,I sing of Love, Bianca. Kiss Me Kate. |
Older character – everyone’s “show” dad, kind & helpful. |
Hattie (Lilli’s dresser) 2nd dance captain |
Plays Serving lady to Katharine/Kate |
Mezzo soprano. Another Op’nin’, Another Show, Kiss Me Kate. |
30s-40s, busy, unflappable, discreet and trustworthy. Paul’s girlfriend. |
Stagehand #1 (electrician) |
Plays Nathaniel – servant to Petruchio |
Baritone Another Op’nin’, Another Show, I sing of Love, Bianca, Kiss me Kate |
30s-40s actor/technician, good humoured/long suffering |
Stagehand # 2 (assistant electrician) |
Plays Philip – servant to Petruchio and half of the pantomime donkey |
Baritone. Another Op’nin’, Another Show, I sing of Love, Bianca, Kiss Me Kate |
30s-40s actor/technician, good humoured/long suffering and energetic as the pantomime donkey |
Stagehand #3 (carpenter and driver to General Howell) |
Plays Haberdasher and half of the pantomime donkey |
Baritone Another Op’nin’, Another Show, I sing of Love, Bianca, Kiss Me Kate |
30s-40s actor/technician, good humoured/long suffering and energetic as the pantomime donkey |
Wardrobe mistress & wardrobe ladies |
Play Ensemble Singers |
Mezzo Soprano. Another Op’nin’, Another Show, I sing of Love, Bianca, Kiss Me Kate |
Older more experienced performers who mentor younger seamstresses |
Ensemble ladies |
Play Padua Inn waitresses, ensemble singers and ensemble dancers. |
Mezzo soprano/alto/mixed Another Op’nin’, Another Show, I sing of Love, Bianca, Kiss Me Kate |
20s-30s, Strong singers & dancers |
Ensemble men (below) |
Play Padua Inn customers, ensemble singers and ensemble dancers |
Baritone/Bass baritone/mixed Another Op’nin’, Another Show, I sing of Love, Bianca, Kiss Me Kate |
20s-30s. Strong singers & dancers |
Paul (Fred’s dresser) dance captain |
Plays Gregory – servant to Petruchio |
Tenor/Baritone Too Darn Hot, I sing of Love, Bianca, Kiss me Kate |
40s. A “seen it all” confidante to Fred. Strong singer and dancer |
Ralph (stage manager) |
Plays Ensemble Singer |
No solos but sings in ensemble |
Older character – serious, loud voice |
Lois Lane |
Plays Bianca Minola |
Mezzo Soprano. Why can’t you behave, Tom, Dick or Harry,Always True to You in My Fashion, Kiss me Kate (finale) |
Early 20s – A cute, dim-witted but lovable nightclub singer. “The Shrew” is Lois’ first ‘featured’ role on the stage. She is ambitiousand grateful to Fred for his support. |
Bill Calhoun |
Plays Lucentio(suitor) |
Baritone. Why can’t you behave? I sing of Love,Bianca, Kiss me Kate. |
Late 20s – early 30s. A Broadway “hoofer”, Lois’ boyfriend and a hopeless gambler. |
Lilli Vanessi |
Plays Katharine/Kate |
Soprano. Wunderbar, So in Love, We open in Venice, I Hate Men, From this moment on, I am ashamed that women are so simple. Kiss me Kate. |
Early-Mid 30s. Experienced “star”stage and screen actress. Lilli is the leading lady of “The Shrew” and Fred’s recently divorced ex-wife. |
Fred Graham |
Plays Petruchio, Katharine’s husband |
Baritone. Wunderbar, We Open in Venice, I’ve come to Wive it wealthily in Padua, Were thine thy special face, Kiss Me Kate, Where is the Life that late I led? So in Love. |
Late 30s – Early 40s. Fred is an experienced writer, producer, director, actor and theatrical ‘superman’. |
Harry Trevor |
Plays BaptistaMinola(Katharine’s Dad) |
No solos but sings in ensemble |
Older character – veteran Broadway character actor |
First Man/Gangster |
Plays an “Aide” to Katherine/Lilli |
Baritone. Brush up your Shakespeare |
Middle aged debt collector/gunman gangster & half donkey in finale |
Second Man/Gangster |
Plays an “Aide to Katherine/Lilli |
Baritone. Brush up your Shakespeare |
Middle aged debt collector/gunman gangster & half donkey in finale |
Flynt (aide to General) |
Plays Gremio (first suitor) |
Baritone. Bianca, I sing of Love. Kiss me Kate |
Strong physique & motorcyclist |
Riley (aide to General) |
Plays Hortensio (second suitor) |
Baritone. Bianca, I Sing of Love. Kiss me Kate |
Strong physique & motorcyclist |
General Harrison Howell |
The general is the only character who does not play a role in “The Taming of The Shrew”. |
Bass Baritone. From this moment on. |
50s – square-jawed, with a strong physique. Harrison is a career minded, military officer, a newly appointed politician, friend of the president& Lilli’s “new” man. |