‘Kiss Me, Kate’ opens with noticeable cast chemistry

Syracuse University’s Department of Drama’s latest musical, “Kiss me Kate,” was defined by the cast’s chemistry and strong vocal performances.

The show opened to large applause Oct. 3 at the Archbold Theater at the Syracuse Stage/Drama Theater Complex. It will be running through Oct. 10. Written by playwrights Samuel and Bella Spewack, the musical follows the story of two arguing couples as they attempt to put on a production of William Shakespeare’s “The Taming of the Shrew.”

Jodi Snyder, a senior musical theater major, played the lead role of Lilli/Kate. Snyder showed off her wide vocal range, especially in her rendition of “So in Love,” where she hit every note.

Ezekiel Edmonds, a junior musical theater major who played the male lead, Fred, gave an equally compelling performance. His interpretation of “Where Is the Life That Late I Led?” left audience members laughing and clapping passionately.

Together, Snyder and Edmonds bounced energy off of one another. Their back-and-forth quips, as well as the tender moments that their characters shared, were testaments to the actors’ compatibility.

Charity Van Tassel, a senior musical theater major, gave an energetic performance as Lois/Bianca, an actress who struggles with her boyfriend Bill, played by senior musical theater major Brian Sandstrom.

From her crooning rendition of “Why Can’t You Behave” to her lively version of “Always True to You in My Fashion,” Van Tassel gave a performance that had audience members shouting, “Bravo! Bravo!”

“Kiss Me, Kate” was solidified by a talented supporting cast. Senior musical theater major Kelsey Brodeur, who played the role of Hattie, earned her share of laughs from her animated facial expressions. Meanwhile, senior musical theater major Luke Brau, who played Ralph, got one of the biggest laughs of the night with the line, “Be quiet you lunatics!”

The opening song to the second act, “Too Darn Hot,” was an audience favorite. Led by senior musical theater major Jon Paul Roby, the dance number owed its success to Roby’s suave voice and the flips, splits and tricks executed by the dance ensemble.

“I thought it was amazing,” said Kayla Roby, an audience member and older sister of Jon Paul. “I thought that all the leads were so talented, and all the supporting people were really awesome too. It was so much fun.”

Richard Westfahl, a junior musical theater major who played one of the two gangsters, said that the energy from the audience was part of what made the opening night so wonderful.

“Kiss Me, Kate” was filled with physical comedy, witty one-liners and recurring jokes that made audience members laugh harder every time. The costumes were bright and colorful, and the set flowed together from one scene to the next with almost seamless transitions.

Markcus Blair, a freshman musical theater major who was part of the set crew, said that working on “Kiss Me, Kate” brought him closer to his fellow cast members.

“I just feel like tonight was so great, and seeing it from the start to the end, it was absolutely amazing,” Blair said.