Transformation Tunesday: KISS ME, KATE is just "Too Darn Hot!"

Last updated June 16th, 2020 by BroadwayBox Staff
Transformation Tunesday: KISS ME, KATE is just "Too Darn Ho…

Photo by Joan Marcus

It's "Transformation Tunesday" here at BroadwayBox! We're going to explore the exciting transformations your favorite Broadway tunes have morphed into over the years with thanks to innovative Broadway revivals.

Transformation Tune: "Too Darn Hot" from Kiss Me, Kate, by Cole Porter


1999 - Broadway Revival


No surprise, but we can't find video of the 1948 Broadway cast. There's a 1964 TV telecast of the musical but it's not the same staging as the Broadway's choreography by Hanya Holm. Instead we are starting with the 1999 revival because that's what we've found and we are positively obsessed with Stanley Wayne Mathis. He is pure sunshine. We wish we had an ounce of his enthusiasm and the pizzazz he displays throughout the number. This number features marvelous Kathleen Marshall choreography. The way her choreography is even more fabulous with the incredible accented dance arrangements is ::chef's kiss:: How many times we rewound 2:39 - 3:15, we'll never tell!


2019 - Broadway Revival


Hey James T. Lane! Charm. Charm. Charm. Broadway ensemble members are such superstars and if you needed any explanation - have a look at this video. You know we are never going to turn down a Corbin Bleu vehicle especially when it includes his marvelous tap dance solos and/or duets. Thank you Warren Carlyle too. The athleticism is absolutely astounding, splits everywhere, energy through the roof, some of the best arm choreography we've ever seen (you'll see). We can't even talk about 2:58 when people just start flying and we're not kidding! How this astounding cast dances 3:14 to the end after dancing so much before is absolutely beyond us. If it was that hot, we would be laying in air conditioning not performing this astonishing choreography in a sweltering alleyway!