Kelli O'Hara Stars in Benefit of 'Kiss Me Kate'

On Monday, December 12, Roundabout Theatre Company will hold a one-night only Benefit Concert Reading of "Kiss Me, Kate" by Sam and Bella Spewack with music and lyrics by Cole Porter, starring Kelli O'Hara and Will Chase. Roundabout's Associate Artistic Director Scott Ellis will direct this one-night only special event.
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Proceeds from the Benefit Concert Reading of "Kiss Me, Kate" support Roundabout Theatre Company's many programs and initiatives, including the Musical Theatre Fund which has allowed Roundabout to produce acclaimed musicals such as "She Loves Me," "Company," "Nine," "The Pajama Game," "Sunday in the Park with George," "Anything Goes," "On the Twentieth Century," "Into the Woods," "The Robber Bridegroom" and this season's "Holiday Inn, The New Irving Berlin Musical."
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The reading brings back Roundabout alum and Tony winner Kelli O'Hara who was nominated for her role in the 2008 revival of "The Pajama Game" opposite Harry Connick, Jr. She also participated in a Benefit Concert reading of "She Loves Me" in 2011 directed by Scott Ellis. Another alum, Will Chase, also returns to Roundabout after his Tony-nominated turn in 2012's "The Mystery of Edwin Drood."
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In Cole Porter's sparkling 1948 musical, the warring lovers of "The Taming of the Shrew" are causing trouble both onstage and off. While putting on a musical version of Shakespeare's play, exes Fred Graham and Lili Vanessi can't decide if they're enraged, enamored, or enormously confused whenever they cross paths out of character. Throw in some mistaken identity, a pair of surprisingly eloquent gangsters, and a whole lot of romantic entanglements, and what you get is "Kiss Me, Kate" -- a dazzling classic that earned the first-ever Tony award for Best Musical.

VIP, Benefactor and Producer tickets include admission to an exclusive cast party following the performance. The evening is co-chaired by Roundabout Board members Michael T. Cohen, Colliers International LLC and Roxanne and Scott Bok, along with Leadership Council members Patrick Crosetto and Paula Dominick.

The Benefit Concert Reading will take place on Monday, December 12 at 7 p.m. at Studio 54, 254 W 54th St, New York, NY 10019. Tax-deductible benefit tickets are available by calling Roundabout's Development Office at 212-719-9393 ext 369 or visiting www.roundabouttheatre.org/kissmekate