Hylton High School in Woodbridge is diligently preparing for the spring musical, "Kiss Me Kate."
This musical was first produced onstage as well as made into a film in the 1950s. There is currently a revival of the play in London.
The plot of the story is a "play within a play," which is about an acting company that performs Shakespeare's "The Taming of the Shrew." The story centers around Fred Graham, an actor and producer of the show. His relationship with his ex-wife, Lilli Vanessi, creates conflict both offstage and on.
The character of Fred Graham is played by Andrew Madsen, senior. Lilli Vanessi is played by Bonnie Hennessee, junior.
The conflict between the characters in complicated by the presence of Lilli's fiancé, and by two gangsters who are at the show to collect on an I.O.U. for a gambling debt. The show threatens to close, so the gangsters end up putting on costumes and joining the cast in order to keep the play running.
"My favorite characters in the play are the two gangsters because they end up in 'the Taming of the Shrew.' It is one of the highlights of the show because they are 'street thugs' who end up performing Shakespeare," adds Maria Dorman, theater teacher.
The show dates are May 1 and May 3, at 7:30 p.m., and May 4 at 3 p.m. Call 703-580-4000.