Kiss Me Gorgeous

Matt Windman

1:45 PM EDT, April 22, 2008

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New Jersey's Paper Mill Playhouse scored big time when it recruited Patti Colombo. She choreographed last season's acclaimed production of "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers," its current revival of "Kiss Me Kate," and is already set to do " Oklahoma" in the fall.

Thanks to Ms. Colombo's physical, sexy choreography, James Brennan's direction, and an outstanding ensemble cast, Cole Porter's "Kiss Me Kate," its romance and hilarity intact, fits like a glove on the Paper Mill stage. The production can be summed up in a single word: Wunderbar!

This classic showbiz musical, where a divorced couple fights both onstage and offstage while performing in "The Taming of the Shrew," is one of the most beloved and crowd-pleasing musical comedies of all time. Its A-list score includes showtune standards like "Another Opening," "So in Love," and "Brush Up Your Shakespeare."

When its cast was first announced, we paused to wonder who exactly was Mike McGowan, who scored the lead role of Fred Graham/Petruchio. This turned out to be an inspired choice. McGowan perfectly captures the character's frenzied egotism and softer spots, fitting nicely into the prestigious line of baritones that have played the role. And did we mention his singing is unbelievable?

At first, Michele Ragusa seems too timid to play the powerhouse diva role of Lilli Vanessi. But once she steps into the shoes of the shrew Katherine, her performance level rises from meek to absolutely wild. Throwing objects across the stage in a rage throughout her delicious solo "I Hate Men," you can sense the insane joy experienced by any lucky actress who gets to play the role.

Amanda Watkins, in the sexpot role of Lois Lane, never lets us forget that her character is supposed to be a total dunce. Even while playing Bianca, Watkins recites Shakespeare with awkward, idiotic blindness.

And in our favorite touch, Ms. Colombo has the sidekick gangsters (Gordon Joseph Weiss and William Ryall) tap-dance their way through the finale reprise of "Brush Up Your Shakespeare."

Paper Mill Playhouse, Brookside Drive, Millburn, NJ; 973-379-3636; $25-92. Wed 7:30pm, Thurs 2 & 7:30pm, Fri 8pm, Sat 2 & 8pm, Sun 2 & 7:30pm. Thru May 18.

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