©Broadway Online
Sept. 23, 2001


Broadway’s 'Kiss me, Kate' Gets Last Minute Reprieve
By Randy Gener

NEW YORK -- Who says there's no drama on Broadway?

In a plot twist worth a show of its own, the company of Broadway's
Kiss Me, Kate rode to the show's rescue Sept. 23, hatching a plan
to keep the Cole Porter classic running, with just hours to go before
the show was scheduled to close at that day's matinee.

The company agreed -- in what they called a gesture of defiance to the
terrorists who attacked the World Trade Center and devastated New York's
economy -- to take a 25 percent pay cut, and to buy tickets for the show
out of their own pockets for the next two weeks. What will happen beyond
that will depend on whether the show's box office recovers from its
recent nosedive.

The closing notice was removed in a ceremony that attracted TV camera crews
to the Martin Beck Theatre. Producer Roger Berlind took to the stage of
the theatre just before the matinee, which was to have been the final
performance. "Because of an extraordinary outpouring of generosity and
good will of every member of the Kiss Me, Kate family," he told the
audience, "I have the enormous pleasure of--" and he tore up the closing
notice and scattered the bits on the stage. He added, "The show will go on."

After that the actor who opens the show came on in his character as a theatre
custodian, swept the fragments from the stage with a broom, and sang the
opening words, "Another op'nin, another show..." to audience applause and howls.

At the final curtain, the audience kept the cast on stage for several encores
of the song, plus a group rendition of "God Bless America."

The 2000 Tony Award-winning Best Musical Revival, Kiss Me, Kat, had
previously announced a Dec. 30 closing, but as a result of ticket sales
plummeting in the wake of the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center,
Berlind had announced Sept. 18 that show would close Sept. 23, leaving behind
an upcoming London production and a national touring version.

But the company reportedly was inspired by remarks from New York Mayor
Rudolph Guiliani, who said, "To people from all over the country who want
to help, I have a great way of helping: come here and spend money. Go to a
restaurant, see a show. The life of the city goes on."

Several other Broadway shows agreed that week to take pay cuts to stay open
during the downturn in ticket sales. Nevertheless, five other Broadway shows
indeed closed Sept. 23.

To avoid sharing their fate, the cast, stage hands, musicians, backstage
personnel and management agreed to both the 25 percent salary reduction and
to allocate an additional 25 percent of their salaries to buying tickets to
the show, which will be donated "to those affected by the tragedy of Sept. 11:
the displaced families, relief workers and volunteers," according to a
statement, which went on to say, "In addition, they felt that by helping to
keep Kiss Me, Kate open -- and another Broadway show lit -- that they
are taking a stand by not allowing the events of the crisis to diminish what
Broadway and New York has to offer."

Tickets will be distributed through Broadway Cares and will be allocated to
the Fire Department of New York Family Crisis Center, American Red Cross,
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), NYC and Company, and the
Families Center at Pier 94.

The Broadway production at the Martin Beck Theatre currently features Burke
Moses in the role of Fred Graham and Carolee Carmello in the role of Lilli.
Janine LaManna (Seussical) now plays Lois.

Berlind had asked the show's 11 unions for a 50 percent pay cut, which was
rejected. Other shows got a maximum 25 percent cut. The company was
crediting head carpenter Joseph Maher with the idea of making up the other
25 percent by turning that portion of their salary back to the box office,
and then donating the tickets to disaster-related charities. He reportedly
was supported in his effort by leading lady Carolee Carmello and orchestra
member Dominic Derasse.


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