Search - Cole Porter, Alfred Drake, Patricia Morison :: Kiss Me, Kate (1948 Original Broadway Cast)

The peerless original cast

Byron Kolln | the corner where Broadway meets Hollywood | 03/04/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"KISS ME KATE is still regarded as Cole Porter's greatest musical; a charming backstage story detailing feuding ex-spouses Lilli Vanessi and Fred Graham as they star in a musical version of Shakespeare's "The Taming of the Shrew".Very rarely has the score been bettered than the original 1949 cast album, reissued here on the Columbia Broadway Masterworks label. Patricia Morison plays Lilli, with Alfred Drake (OKLAHOMA!, KISMET, GIGI) as Fred, the feuding, ego-ridden leads. Lisa Kirk (ALLEGRO, MACK AND MABEL) is the sexy young starlet Lois, with Harold Lang (PAL JOEY) as her caddish boyfriend Bill.KISS ME KATE opened at the New Century Theatre on Broadway in 1949, making history in its run of over 1000 performances. Patricia Morison is perfectly-suited to the role of Lilli. She offers a glowing rendition of "So in Love", whilst her duet with Alfred Drake in the tongue-in-cheek "Wunderbar" is sublime. Lisa Kirk gets three of the big showstoppers ("Why Can't You Behave?", "Tom Dick or Harry" and "Always True to You in My Fashion"), and nails each and every one. Harold Lang was a better dancer than he ever was as a singer, but is quite good on this disc.A must-own."

Beautiful remastering of historic original cast recording

Mark Andrew Lawrence | Toronto | 05/24/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Recorded in January 1949, this album of KISS ME KATE has remained in print adn a steady best-seller for over 50 years now.The sound on this newly remastered CD is crisp and clear and easily surpasses all previous issues. Sony even uses the original artwork from the very first LP release.The performances remain as fresh as ever. Alfred Drake was Broadway's top leading man and sounds just glorious. Pat Morrison had less of a career but sounds just perfect as Lilli. Lisa Kirk is wonderful as Lois, and Harold Lang makes the most of his few moments on the record as her boyfriend, Bill. In an unusual move these peopel reunited 10 years later to re-record the score for Capitol in true stereo. They still sound great on that recording (on CD as part of the Broadway Angel series) but the performances are fresher on this recording made just 2 weeks after KIS ME KATE had opened on Broadway to rave reviews.The CD booklet has good info about the show, though curiously, no synopsis. There are, however, a half dozen pictures of the original production. This edition featureds longer takes of "We Open in Venice", "I Hate Men" and "Too Darn Hot" though the total extra music adds but a minute to the album's running time. A bonus track of the Overture dates from a 1958 stereo recording by Lehman Engle.KISS ME KATE was the first Tony Award winner for Best Musical (1949). The 1999 revival won a Tony for Best Revival."

Wunderbar!

Peter Prainito | Lombard, IL USA | 12/17/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I am so impressed by the truly outstanding job that Columbia has been doing on these original cast CDs. This latest purchase, Kiss Me Kate, is still another gem. For being a mono 1949 recording, you would not believe it. I honestly think it sounds as good as stereo. The cast and singing are idiomatic. Kiss Me Kate has been blessed with several excellent recordings, be they Broadway, movie, or new studio recordings. If you love this musical, your library would not be complete without this disc. It bears repeating, I have bought several of these newly remastered Columbia discs and have nothing but praise for their superb quality. Many of the discs also have great fillers. Some other ones include: West Side Story, On the Town, and The Sound of Music. MCA has also been doing a great job with their original Broadway discs. As for Rhino (Turner Soundtracks), it's usually hit or miss....mostly miss, I'm sad to say. Kiss Me Kate gets 5 solid stars!"