Viterbo Conservatory for the Performing Arts presents
Kiss Me, Kate
Music and Lyrics by Cole Porter · Book by Sam and Bella Spewack
October 8–11, 2026 · Fine Arts Center Main Theatre
Before the curtain rises
Show Information
There will be one 15-minute intermission.
Any photos, video, and/or audio recording of this performance
is strictly prohibited.
Age Recommendation: Ages 12 and up for sexual humor, gambling, simulated gun show and sound affect, mild violence and use of haze.
Strobe lights will be used in this production.
Kiss Me, Kate
Music and Lyrics by
Cole Porter
Book by
Sam and Bella Spewack
KISS ME, KATE is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Tams-Witmark LLC.
A warm welcome
Welcome from the President
Dear Audience Members,
It’s great to have you with us. The 2026–27 performing arts season is a blend of outstanding music, comedy, dance, and drama sure to entertain and rouse the emotions while reminding us all of everything we love about the arts.
Each production is made possible through the hard work and support of our staff, volunteers, students, faculty, benefactors, sponsors, the FSPA whose vision and courage made the Fine Arts Center possible, and of course, you—our patrons. Thank you to everyone for your crucial role in making Viterbo University the premier destination for the arts in the region.
If you have not yet had the pleasure, I would like to extend a personal invitation to attend one of our Conservatory for the Performing Arts productions this season. The immense talent of our students always makes me extremely proud.
Now, on with the show!
“Pace e Bene”
Peace and all good
Rick Trietley VIterbo University President
From the Conservatory
Conservatory Note
Welcome to our 2026-27 season at the Conservatory!
Great stories and great music have the power to touch lives, inspire hope, and create community and a sense of belonging. This season, our stages will be alive with bold, heartfelt work from the extraordinary young artists in our Theatre, Musical Theatre, and Music programs.
From timeless classics to fresh new works, from joyful celebrations to thought-provoking journeys, every performance reflects the passion, courage, and artistry of students refining their creative voices. And you—our audience—are the essential ingredient that turns their hard work from “just another rehearsal” into something extraordinary.
By joining us, you’re not only experiencing the magic of live performance—you’re helping shape the next generation of artists who will carry that magic into communities across the country and around the world. Thank you for believing, as we do, in the power of the arts to surprise, to connect, to transform, and to inspire.
Rick Walters Executive Artistic DirectorConservatory for the Performing Arts
From the director
Director's Note
The merger of Shakespeare and American Musical Theater is a long standing tradition in the canon of the art-form. From West Side Story, The Lion King or to more modern musicals like All Shook Up, composers and playwrights often take inspiration from the bard. Kiss Me, Kate is a clever play on that model, giving the audience not only the classic battle of the sexes that is The Taming of the Shrew, but the backstage antics and romantic turmoil of the actors playing them as well. Having a long tenure in the musical theater canon, this show has evolved several times over the decades, with script revisals and lyrical changes to reflect the more contemporary attitudes towards gender dynamics and expectations, which in it's essence is what this show is about. This show and it's Elizabethan counterpart both carry themes of misogyny, marriage, forgiveness, leverage, humor, and undeniable chemistry. By running dual storylines between the 1940s and the Renaissance, the Spewacks and Porter shone a mirror on the parallel ongoing disparities between men and women of their time and the double standards they faced, and still face to this day. In the end, both stories are truly about love persevering over strife, status, or societal expectations. There might be a little more dancing in Kiss Me, Kate though. Thank you for coming to this performance and I hope you enjoy the show!
Daniel Pivovar
Where and when
Setting
1948, A professional theater in Baltimore, MD.
The Renaissance, Padua, Italy.
Musical numbers
List of Songs
ACT 1
1. Another Op'nin' Another Show: Hattie & Ensemble
2. Why Can't You Behave?: Lois & Bill
3. Wunderbar: Lilli & Fred
4. So in Love: Lilli
5. We Open in Venice: Petruchio, Katharine, Lucentio, Bianca
6. Tom, Dick or Harry: Bianca, Lucentio, Hortensio, Gremio
7. I've Come to Wive it Wealthily in Padua: Petruchio, Lucentio and men
8. I Hate Men: Katharine
9. Were Thine That Special Face: Petruchio
10. Cantiamo D'Amore: Ensemble
11. Finale Act 1: Petruchio, Katharine, ensemble
ACT 2
12. Too Darn Hot
13. Where is the Life That Late I Led?: Petruchio, women ensemble
14. Always True to You in My Fashion: Lois, Bill, stage hands
15. From This Moment On: General Harrison, Lilli
16. Bianca: Bill, Paul, Hattie, ensemble
17. Reprise: So in Love: Fred
18. Brush Up Your Shakespeare: Gangster 1, Gangster 2
19. Pavane: Lucentio, Bianca, ensemble
20. I Am Ashamed That People Are so Simple: Lilli
21. Finale Act 2: Full company
On stage
Cast
- Lilli Vanessi/Katharine Minola
- Carley Clover
- Fred Graham/Petruchio
- Braeden Jackson
- Lois Lane/Bianca Minola
- Toria Greenlaw
- Lucentio/Bill Calhoun
- Davin Williams
- Gangster 1
- Aidan Reilly (Fred U/S)
- Gangster 2
- Cooper Langer
- Hattie
- Grace Hyde
- Paul
- Dominic Morara
- General Harrison Howel
- Samuel Asid
- Harry Trevor/Baptista Minola
- Adam Kurbat
- Ralph the Stage Manager
- Jamie Bell
- Gremio/Dance Captain/Flynt
- Lou Xiong (Paul U/S)
- Hortensio/Riley
- Kayden Kloehn
- Pops/Padua Priest
- Zach Buhl (Howell U/S)
- Stage Hand #1/Cab Driver/Nathaniel
- Ethan Blakeney (Bill U/S)
- Stage Hand #2/Innkeeper/Philip
- Angel Hernandez
- Stage Hand #3/Howell's Driver/Gregory
- Wardrobe Lady/Ensemble
- Lauren Huserik (Lilli U/S)
- Ensemble
- Jillian Arthur (Lois U/S)
- Ensemble
- Maggie Berendes
- Ensemble
- Amelia Blasing
- Ensemble
- Connie Buhl
- Ensemble
- Jillian Hurley
- Off-Stage Male Swing
- Tyler Barnes
- Off-Stage Female Swing
- Hailee Elwell
In the pit
Orchestra
- Conductor
- Diane Foust
- Reed I
- Mona Gardner
- Reed 2
- Jordan Cox
- Reed 3
- Mary Beth Hensel
- Reed 4
- Jeff Reitz
- French Horn
- Thomas Hunt
- Trumpet
- Jeff Krauklis and Neil Clyne
- Bass
- Zach Mayer
- Keyboard
- Sarah Tellier and Janette Hanson
- Percussion
- Tammy Fisher and Sam Hantzsh
- Rehearsal Pianist
- Diane Foust
- Trombone/Bass Trombone
- Leo Chavolla
Conservatory leadership
Administrative Staff and Faculty
- Executive Artistic Director
- Rick Walters
- Theatre and Musical Theatre Department Chair
- Shane Rhoades
- Faculty Music Advisor
- Janette Hanson
The creative team
Production Team
- Director
- Daniel Pivovar
- Assistant Director
- Kristin Schoenecker
- Music Director
- Diane Foust
- Choreographer
- Renell Taylor
- Assistant Choreographer
- Jillian Arthur
- Associate Choreographer
- Sony Vassor
- Dance Supervisor
- Shane Rhoades
- Dance Captain
- Jillian Arthur
- Fight Choreographer
- Mike Speck
- Fight Captain
- Zach Buhl
- Production Stage Manager
- Alli Austin
- Assistant Stage Manager(s)
- Lauren Kromrey (ASM 1) Lillian Weaver (ASM 2)
- Deck Supervisor
- Selma Olson
- Production Manager
- Kelsey Taunt
- Technical Director
- Chad Kolbe
- Scenic Designer
- Kit Mayer
- Paint Charge Artist
- Kit Mayer
- Properties Designer
- Vee Jacobson
- Prop Shop Supervisor
- Kelsey Taunt
- Lighting Designer
- Patrick Strain
- Master Electrician
- Leo Chavolla
- Assistant Master Electrician
- Hailey Fernandes
- Sound Engineer
- Eric Glazewski
- Assistant Sound Engineer
- Leo Chavolla
- Costume Designer
- Sydney Ellis
- Assistant Costume Designer
- Bonnie Gentry
- Costume Shop Supervisor
- Jen Brown
- Milliner
- Jen Brown
- Assistant Milliner
- Alanna Sawall
- Wardrobe Supervisor
- Xavier Carnicom
- Costume Run Crew Supervisor
- Xavier Carnicom
- Hair and Makeup Designer
- Malia Meyer
- Assistant Hair and Makeup Designer
- Tina Bagheri
- Hair and Makeup Supervisor
- Xavier Carnicom
- Wig Stylist
- Annie Voss
- Intimacy Coordinator
- Brittany Bara
- Special Thanks
- Anna Graham, Lisa Lock, Joe Anderson, Maggie Hall
Behind the scenes
Production Crew
- Light Board Operator
- Jaylese Smith
- Follow Spot Operator(s)
- Emma Hayward, Mason Maney
- Sound Run/Microphones
- Finnigan Murphy, Eddie Clark
- Costume Run Crew
- Rowan Lammert, Stephen Stockholm, Parker Calkins, Lyla Glinsek, Ava Cunningham, Kaia Loos
- Scenic Run Crew
- Lynn Barnet, Hannah Hardcastle, Jason Kane, Adisyn Ackley, Ella Rose Freed
- Props Run Crew
- Logan Nusz, Kari Meyer
- Scenic Build Crew
- Sam Asid, Treylon Salley. Sony Vassor, Ash Williams, Roella Weiss, Selma Olsen, Naomi Joseph, Will Markert, Jamie Allen, Em Nicol, Lou Xiong, Ash Williams, Thomas Rise, Grace Hyde
- Prop Build Crew
- Vee Jacobson, Tyler Barnes, Ethan Blakeney, Connie Buhl, Alanna Wagner, Ash Williams, Payton Abbott, Vitaly Bauer, Ainsley Belisle, Parker Calkins, Ava Cunningham, Dorian Foster-Reimer, Lyla Glinsek, Sophie Harris, Wyatt Hren, Rowan Lammert, Kari Mayer, Logan Nusz, Stephen Stockholm, Lillian Weaver
- Props Supervisor
- Sophie Harris
- Costume Build Crew
- Jen Brown, Anna Graham, Lisa Lock, Joe Andersen, Sydney Ellis, Braeden Jackson, Braydon Dayne, Annie Voss, Angel Hernandes, Eddie Clark, Bella Binder, Ayawyn Conner, Xavier Carnicom, Vee Jacobson, Roella Weiss, Carley Clover, Faye Muma, Bonnie Gentry, Eliana Erdman, Malia Meyer, Alanna Sawall, Tina Bagheri, Addie Snyder, Lauren Huserik
Meet the company
Cast Biographies
Lilli Vanessi/Katharine Minola Carley Clover
Carley Clover is a Senior Music Theatre major with a Dance minor. Her past Viterbo credits include Bat Boy: The Musical as a swing, Mrs. Puff in Spongebob: the Musical, Chorus Leader in Anitgone, and Ms. Casewell in Mousetrap. She is forever grateful to have her family, friends, and faculty's support. Chi-Miigwetch!
Fred Graham/Petruchio Braeden Jackson
Braeden Jackson is a Senior pursuing a BFA in Musical Theater with minors in Dance and Technical Theater & Design. He has performed as Mr. Laurence in Little Women, Inspector Kemp in Young Frankenstein, Perch Perkins in The SpongeBob Musical, Ensemble of Sweeney Todd and as member of Jesus' Entourage in Godspell at Viterbo. In addition to performing, Braeden is a passionate costume designer, recently designing for Viterbo's production of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead. He also worked in the Costume Department at the Des Moines Metro Opera the past three summers. Enjoy the show!
Lois Lane/Bianca Minola Tori Greenlaw
Tori Greenlaw is a senior BFA music theatre major with a minor in technical theatre and design! Past Viterbo credits include: Godspell, Sweeney Todd, and Spongebob. Coming from Sarasota, Florida, she graduated from Booker High School's Visual Preforming Arts theatre program, also having been in Evita at the Asolo Repertory Theatre. She is simply thrilled to be a part of this production and sends endless love to her mom, dad, brothers, and grandmother for their unwavering support along with the production team and cast for this incredible show! Thanks for comin'! @torigreenlaw
Lucentio/Bill Calhoun Davin Williams
Gangster 1 Aidan Reilly
Aidan Reilly is a second-year music theatre major from Waukesha, Wisconsin. Last year, he absolutely loved making his Viterbo debut in Little Women as John Brooke! He is so happy to be back at it, doing what he loves. Some non-conservatory credits include: Grease (Danny, Sunset Playhouse), Little Shop of Horrors (Seymour), and Chicago (Billy Flynn). He would like to thank all his family and teachers who've helped him get where he is, and would especially like to thank his Mom and Dad for their endless love and support; he couldn't have done it without them! Enjoy the show!
Gangster 2 Cooper Langer
Cooper is ecstatic to be back at his second year as a Theatre Major here at Viterbo! He has previously appeared in The Mousetrap (u/s Giles, u/s Major Metcalf) and STP's The Guy Who Didn't Like Musicals (Paul). Cooper is also involved on campus as the Co-President of Film Club and as a member of the Improv Club. He would like to thank his parents, friends, and girlfriend for their generosity, support, and laughter.
Hattie Grace Hyde
Grace Hyde is a third-year Musical Theatre student at Viterbo University. With Viterbo she has been in Young Frankenstein (Female swing)and outside of school she has been in Newsies, Tuck Everlasting, and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and many other productions. Grace is grateful for every opportunity to grow as a performer and is excited to see where this year leads!
Paul Dominic Morara
Dominic is a 3rd year Music Theatre major with a minor in Dance. Past Viterbo credits include "The SpongeBob Musical" (ensemble) and "Young Frankenstein" (ensemble & u/s The Monster). Additionally, Dominic was the Assistant Stage Manager for "The Mousetrap" (Spring 2026) and will be making his Stage Management debut with "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" later this season. Outside of his coursework, Dominic serves as baritone singer and secretary officer of Vive Voce (a student-led acapella ensemble on campus) as well as Managing Director of Student Theatre Project (a student-led theatre production club on campus). Dominic would like to thank his mom, Stellah Morara, for all her love and for supporting his dreams. He hopes you enjoy the show! Instagram: @dmoraraaa
General Harrison Howel Samual Asid
Samual Asid is a senior Acting major with a minor in Playwriting. Previous Viterbo credits include Creon in Antigone, Major Metcalf in The Mousetrap and Alfred in Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead. He had also been involved in Student Theatre Project productions as both a cast member and lighting designer. Samual is also president of the Viterbo Improv Club. He is excited to be in his final year and hopes you enjoy the show!
Harry Trevor/Baptista Minola Adam Kurbat
Adam Kurbat
is a music theatre major with minors in music and chemistry. Originally from Arizona, he studied at Arizona School for the Arts before moving to La Crosse to pursue an education at Viterbo. He's grateful to his friends, teachers, and family for their unwavering support, which got him here today.
Gremio/Dance Captain/Flynt Mouahlou Lou Xiong
At Viterbo, she has served as music director for "Make Me a Song", "Pajama Game", "Footloose", "Carrie", "Hello Girls", "42nd Street" "Godspell", and "Sweeney Todd", and "Young Frankenstein". Additionally, she has served as pit musician for "Little Women", "I Love You Because", "Bat Boy","Into the Woods", "Merrily We Go Along", "9 to 5", "Cats", "Edges", "Lost Girl", "James and the Giant Peach", and "Shou". She also accompanies and co-directs cabarets, solo recitals, professional masterclasses, improv shows, showcases, and laboratory courses.
Hortensio/Riley Kayden Kloehn
Kayden Kloehn is a Senior musical theatre major at Viterbo University! Viterbo Credits: Kiss Me Kate (Hortensio/Ensemble), The Mousetrap (Sergeant Trotter), Bat Boy (Rick Taylor), Spongebob (Electric Skate, Ens), Young Frankenstein (Ensemble). Additionally you may have seen him as Hans in LCT's Frozen this past winter! This past summer he saw 32 on & off Broadway shows while working his first contract in New York and was thoroughly reminded of the love and joy that live theatre can bring to others. @kayden.klo
Pops/Padua Priest Zachary Buhl
Zach is a senior Musical Theatre major with a Arts Admin minor. Past Viterbo productions include: I Love You Because (Austin Bennet), Sweeney Todd (Offstage Singer), STPs Edges (Man 2), STPs Outsiders (Bob/Docter). Many thanks to all his friends and family!
Stage Hand #1/Cab Driver/Nathaniel Ethan Blakeney
Ethan Blakeney is a third-year musical theatre major and dance minor from San Antonio, Texas. Notable Viterbo productions for him include being an ensemble member and choreographer for The Marriage of Figaro, swinging for show I Love You Because, and portraying Laurie in Little Women. Fascinated by the impacts that acting and performance can have on others, he looks to continue expanding his horizons as an artist, collaborating on projects with colleagues, and meaningfully contributing his artistic abilities with audiences.
Stage Hand #2/Innkeeper/Philip Angel Hernandez
It's senior year for Angel Hernandez and he can't wait to set foot on the main stage once more as part of the ensemble of Kiss Me Kate. You may recognize him from his most recent roles as Igor in Young Frankenstein and Mr. Paravichini in The Mousetrap. He's performed as Prince Christopher in Rodger's & Hammerstein's Cinderella, Motel in Fiddler on the Roof, Frog in A Year With Frog and Toad, Bird Seller in Sweeney Todd, and ensemble and Ogie u/s in Waitress. He would love to thank the director Dan Pivovar and the creative team for the opportunity to perform on this stage as well as his friends and family for encouraging him and being such a light in his life. Please follow his Instagram to keep yourself updated with his career, Thank you!
insta: @_.angel.hernandez
Wardrobe Lady/Ensemble Lauren Huserik
Lauren Huserik is a junior music theatre major from Seattle, Washington. Some of her favorite roles and past productions include her Barbarina in The Marriage of Figaro and Mrs. Boyle in The Mousetrap at Viterbo University. Other credits include Jane Doe in Ride the Cyclone and Anna of Cleves in Six (Ballyhoo Theatre), as well as Beauty and the Beast, Catch Me if You Can, Amelie, and The Prom. She would like to thank her parents, Jen and Randy, her best friend, River, Mr. Mendoza, and her service dog, Mira. She wouldn't be here without them.
Ensemble Jillian Arthur
Jillian Arthur
is a sophomore music theatre major from Sussex. Last year, she was fortunate to be the female swing in Viterbo's production of These Shining Lives. She would like to thank her mom and dad for always supporting her dreams, and all of her teachers who have helped her on her theater journey. She hopes you enjoy!
Ensemble Maggie Berendes
Maggie is currently a junior at Viterbo University, pursuing her BFA in Musical Theatre with a minor in Dance. She has been involved in a variety of theatre experiences, including Spotlight Education with Hennepin Arts, serving as a Camp Instructor with SOAR Regional Arts, and most recently Understudying the role of Marmee in Little Women at Viterbo University. She would like to thank her family, especially her mom, Nicole, for all of their support in her pursuit of a career in professional theatre. Enjoy the show!
Ensemble Amelia Blasing
Amelia is a junior music theatre major with a minor in dance, and she is elated to be a part of this production! Recently, she finished her third and final year as a principal singer/dancer with the Kids From Wisconsin. She was also a swing in Viterbo's production of SpongeBob: The Musical. Other credits include: Velma Kelly (Chicago) and Morticia (The Addams Family). She hopes you enjoy the show!
Ensemble Connie Buhl
Connie Buhl
is a music theatre major with minors in dance and ASL. She is honored to perform as The Sentry in this year's production of Antigone. Favorite credits include Sylvia in All Shook Up and Alice in The Addams Family with Tartan Theatre, as well as Viterbo Dance Kaleidoscope 2025. She also cherished her experience as assistant vocal director for Hadestown (Summer 2025). She is deeply grateful for the opportunities she has been given and gives all glory to God for guiding her journey (1 Corinthians 10:31).
Ensemble Jillian Hurley
Jillian Hurley is so excited to be back at her home away from home! She is a sophomore music theatre major with minors in dance and arts administration. At Viterbo, Jillian was apart of Little Women where she understudied Beth Marsh. Prior to coming to Viterbo, Jillian had been involved in many productions in the Boston area, including but not limited to Les Miserables (Madame Thenardier), Heathers (Heather Chandler), and Carrie (Margaret White). She would like to thank her friends and family for always supporting her, and the cast, crew, and production team for all of their hard work. Enjoy the show!
Off-Stage Male Swing Tyler Barnes
Tyler is a Sophomore music theatre major from Bellefontaine, Ohio. His past Viterbo credits are based from the Student Theatre Project. On stage, he played Sodapop in STP's The Outsiders, and behind the scenes he designed props for STP's The Guy Who Didn't Like Musicals. He would like to thank his friends and loved ones for their unwavering support.
Off-Stage Female Swing Hailee Elwell
Hailee Elwell is a junior Musical Theatre major with minors in dance and art. During her freshman year she made her main stage debut with the Viterbo Concert choir and in SpongeBob the Musical as the French Narrator, Foley Fish, and a Sea Anemone. As a sophomore she played Cherry in the Outsiders and was the charge artist of Little Women. She is originally from Bigfork Montana, where she participated in the Bigfork Playhouse Children's Theater for ten years and played roles such as Miss Honey in Matilda, Fiona in Shrek, and Grace in Annie, as well as three internships with the Bigfork Summer Playhouse. She performed with the 2025 BSP cast as Lorraine in All Shook up and other roles throughout the season, and the 2026 BSP cast as Katherine Plumber in Newsies and various other roles. Hailee is so thankful for the support of her family and friends, and is looking forward to take on the position of female swing for the 2026 Fall Semester's production of Kiss Me Kate!
You can find her on Instagram at @__gingersnaps__2
All glory to God!
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