Annapolis musicals

Kiss Me, Kate; Broadway Cast Recording; Cole Porter, composer and lyricist

In October of 2007, the Annapolis Chorale presented a concert version of Cole Porter’s “Kiss Me, Kate”. Since joining the staff of the Annapolis Chorale in the fall of 2005, I have enjoyed playing in the orchestra for the two musicals that the ensemble produces each year. “Kiss Me, Kate”, though, was a favorite. Mr. Porter is a king of words.

The girls today in society

Go for classical poetry,

So to win their hearts one must quote with ease

Aeschylus and Euripides.

But the poet of them all

Who will start 'em simply ravin'

Is the poet people call

The bard of Stratford-on-Avon.

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Brush up your Shakespeare,

Start quoting him now.

Brush up your Shakespeare

And the women you will wow.

Just declaim a few lines from "Othella"

And they think you're a heckuva fella.

If your blonde won't respond when you flatter 'er

Tell her what Tony told Cleopaterer,

And if still, to be shocked, she pretends well,

Just remind her that "All's Well That Ends Well."

________________

Brush up your Shakespeare

And they'll all kowtow.

Brush up your Shakespeare,

Start quoting him now.

Brush up your Shakespeare

And the women you will wow.

If your goil is a Washington Heights dream

Treat the kid to "A Midsummer Night Dream."

If she fights when her clothes you are mussing,

What are clothes? "Much Ado About Nussing."

If she says your behavior is heinous

Kick her right in the "Coriolanus."

Brush up your Shakespeare

And they'll all kowtow.

Credits: To the Annapolis Chorale, for their friendship, musicianship and some spectacular times. Thank you, friends.