OMT GETTING SET FOR KISS ME KATE. Scott Bruyea and Elizabeth Glenday take the lead roles in the Broadway musical Kiss Me Kate, set to open at the Town Hall Opera House in Orangeville, next month. Contributed Photo Local lovers of classic Broadway musicals will be pleased to know that Orangeville Music Theatre (OMT) is getting set to reprise the stage production of Kiss Me Kate, a five-time Tony Award winner that originally entertained audiences in 1948.

The play, written by Samuel and Bella Spewack, music and lyrics by Cole Porter, was the first Broadway musical that Hollywood filmed in 3-D.

It's a play within a play and is described as a musical version of Shakespeare's Taming of the Shrew.

"It uses some classic Shakespeare themes," said OMT President Elizabeth Glenday. "It uses mistaken identities and disguises and that creates some of the comedy."

OMT is currently rehearsing but the cast and crew are looking forward to moving into final rehearsals on stage at the Town Hall Opera House in Orangeville early next month.

"We have a month left before opening," said Ms. Glenday. "It's time to polish and get all the technical and lighting set on stage."

This local amateur theatre group has been entertaining

audiences for more than 20 years and past shows included Bye Bye Birdie, Guys and Dolls and, last year, the hit comedy The Pajama Game.

Returning from The Pajama Game in the lead roles for Kiss Me Kate are Scott Bruyea in the dual role of Fred and Petricio and Elizabeth Glenday as both Lilli and Kate.

Joining the leads in various roles include: Barry Ross playing both Harry and Baptista, Becki Simons as Lois and Bianca, Sam Balch as Paul, Jeff Bathurst as Bill Calhoun, Dale Lundy playing Hortensio, Kurt MacDonald as Gremio, Jim Murphy in the role of the doorman, Alison Port as Aggie, Samantha Russell is Hattie, and Ray Young is Harrison Howell.

On stage in the ensemble and walk-on roles are; Yuan Barns, Sarah Dale,

Lorraine Fennel, Danielle Gamache, Kailin Howell, Nicole Klompmaker, Shannon Knudsen and Laurel Neufeld.

The creative team includes Steve Urion at the helm as director and choreographer, Joy Bell providing the musical directorship with Brenda McDooling Duce as the assistant musical director and Alex Amini heading the costume design.

OMT may be considered an amateur company, but the group has a reputation for producing exceptional shows that are entertaining, and this year should prove no exception.

As a non-profit theatre group, OMT relies on donations and sponsors to fund productions each year and the performers have appeared recently at various community events to promote the show and lend their support to other causes.

Most recently, they performed at the Music and Arts Festival at the Lord Dufferin Centre last week and earlier this month they staged a one-hour variety show/fundraiser venture at Westminster United Church.

OMT continues to look for other venues to perform in the community and is thrilled for the opportunity to present Kiss Me Kate to audiences at the end of May.

Opening night is set for May 26 and the play continues, weekends only, until June 10.

Shows are scheduled for Friday and Saturday nights at 8 and Sunday at 2 p.m. The only Thursday night show is June 8.

Tickets at $24 can be ordered through the Orangeville Town Hall Opera House at 87 Broadway or by telephone: 9423423 or 800-424-1295.