University Theatre closes the 2025–26 season with 'Kiss Me, Kate'

Youngstown State University's University Theatre will bring down the curtain on its 2025–26 season with a production of the beloved Broadway musical "Kiss Me, Kate," with music and lyrics by Cole Porter and a book by Samuel and Bella Spewack.

"Kiss Me, Kate" is a backstage comedy inspired by Shakespeare's "The Taming of the Shrew." The story follows a feuding pair of ex-spouses — both actors — who must navigate romantic rivalry, mob entanglements, and Shakespearean mischief over the course of one wild opening night. Originally produced on Broadway in 1948, the show features a celebrated Cole Porter score that includes jazz standards such as "Too Darn Hot," "Wunderbar," and "Brush Up Your Shakespeare."

Directed by Adam Day Howard, the cast for "Kiss Me, Kate" includes, Ben Podnar (Wampum, Pennsylvania); Maria Anastasiades (Warren); Robert Channel (Austintown); Natalie Horvath (Hubbard); Alex Shina (Cuyahoga Falls); Nate Perry (Geneva on the Lake); Vixen Atwood (Canton); Liam Burk (Youngstown); Owen Mills (North Royalton); Jessica Sprague (Norwalk); Romerio Dawkins (North Olmsted); Cadence Watson (East Liverpool); Grace Burk (Youngstown); Noah Dudai (New Middletown); and Eric Ballard (Youngstown). 

"Kiss Me, Kate" will also see faculty and student crew members including Associate Professor Katherine Garlick as costume designer; Senior Lecturer Todd Dicken as scenic designer; Ellen Dayan as costume shop coordinator; Gunnar Carwile as technical director; Jon Zelezniak as lighting advisor; Helena Snyder (Austintown) as stage manager; Adriana Rosario (Youngstown) as assistant stage manager; Gianna D’Alesandro (Youngstown) as lighting board operator; and Kurt Boggs (Warren) as sound board operator.

In his director's note, Howard describes the show as "a lively collision" of love and art, where backstage chaos meets Shakespearean wit — all wrapped in a Cole Porter score. Rather than shying away from the show's classic theatrical conventions, this production embraces them, celebrating theatre's egos, romances and "stubborn magic." 

Audiences can see "Kiss Me, Kate" April 16 – 19 at Ford Theater, located inside YSU’s Bliss Hall. Thursday, Friday and Saturday performances will begin at 7:30 p.m., with Sunday's production starting at 2p.m. Tickets are available for purchase at ysu.tix.com.

For more information, contact Katie Merrill, Cliffe College coordinator of community engagement and events, at 330.941.2307 or kamerrill@ysu.edu.