Stage to PagePlaybill Vault's Today in Theatre History: December 30In 1948, Kiss Me, Kate opens on Broadway.
By
Playbill Staff
December 30, 2020
1907 In The Comet, Alla Nazimova plays a woman who falls in love with her former lover's son, who eventually kills himself. Owen Johnson's first play, it runs for seven weeks.
1948Alfred Drake and Patricia Morison brush up their Shakespeare in Kiss Me, Kate, Cole Porter's musical opening at the New Century Theatre. Songs include "Wunderbar," "I Hate Men," "Bianca," "Always True To You (In My Fashion)," and "Too Darn Hot." The following year, it wins the first-ever Tony Award for Best Musical.
1975The Runner Stumbles exposes the doomed affection of a lonely priest and a loving nun. Austin Pendleton directs the world premiere of Milan Stitt's play at the Hartman Theatre in Stamford, Connecticut. The production transfers to Broadway the following year.
1999Jackie Mason's Much Ado About Everything opens at the John Golden Theatre. It is written and directed by Mason, who also stars in the comedy. The show runs for 186 performances.
2001 Two long-running Broadway revivals—Kiss Me, Kate and The Music Man—close. Both had been struggling since the 9/11 attacks cut into attendance.
Lupita Nyong'o, Katrina Lenk, Jelani Alladin, and more were on hand to celebrate the October 31 opening night of Michael R. Jackson and Anna K. Jacobs' new musical.