Show Synopsis
During a production of a musical based on Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew, the complicated romantic plot of the play affects the actors' personal love lives. Lilli plays Katherine off of her ex-husband Fredwho is playing Petruchio, who is interested in Lois. Lois is playing Bianca, who still flirts with Bill who is playing Lucentio. Fred, who has a terrible gambling problem, coerces two gangsters to help keep Lilli in the show so that he can pay off his debts to them. The gangsters find out that their boss is dead, and Fred owes them nothing but discover how much they love Shakespeare. Lilli returns to Fred, and Lois ends up with Bill.
Character
Lois Lane, a very flirtatious actress in her 20s playing Bianca in the musical production of Taming of the Shrew
Song Context
Backstage at the theatre, Bill overhears Lois talking with one of her old flames and doubts that they can ever be together if Lois keeps flirting with other men. Lois tries to convince him that she will always be faithful to him in her own way, even if there are other men around. Bill decides to woo Lois by writing and singing a song about the character of Bianca.
Fun Facts
1) The title of this song is paraphrased from the poet Ernest Dowson's line "I have been faithful to thee, Cynara! in my fashion" from the poem "I Am Not as I Was Under the Reign of the Good Cynara."
2) Kiss Me Kate is considered Cole Porter's masterpiece score. This song, like many in the musical, became an American standard.
3) During a pre-Broadway dress rehearsal of Kiss Me Kate, playwright Moss Hart and choreographer Agnes de Mille predicted that it would flop in New York.
"Oh, Bill,
Why can't you behave?
Why can't you behave?
How in hell can you be jealous
When you know, baby, I'm your slave?
I'm just mad for you,
And I'll always be,
But naturally
If a custom-tailored vet
Asks me out for something wet,
When the vet begins to pet, I cry ""Hooray!""
But I'm always true to you, darlin', in my fashion,
Yes, I'm always true to you, darlin', in my way.
I enjoy a tender pass
By the boss of Boston, Mass.,
Though his pass is middle-class and notta Backa Bay.
But I'm always true to you, darlin', in my fashion,
Yes, I'm always true to you, darlin', in my way.
There's a madman known as Mack
Who is planning to attack,
If his mad attack means a Cadillac, okay!
But I'm always true to you, darlin', in my fashion,
Yes, I'm always true to you, darlin', in my way.
I've been asked to have a meal
By a big tycoon in steel,
If the meal includes a deal, accept I may.
But I'm always true to you, darlin', in my fashion,
Yes, I'm always true to you, darlin', in my way.
I could never curl my lip
To a dazzlin' diamond clip,
Though the clip meant ""let 'er rip,"" I'd not say ""Nay!""
But I'm always true to you, darlin', in my fashion,
Yes, I'm always true to you, darlin', in my way.
There's an oil man known as Tex
Who is keen to give me checks,
And his checks, I fear, mean that sex is here to stay!
But I'm always true to you, darlin', in my fashion,
Yes, I'm always true to you, darlin', in my way.
From Ohio Mister Thorne
Calls me up from night 'til morn,
Mister Thorne once cornered corn and that ain't hay.
Aha!
But I'm always true to you, darlin', in my fashion,
Yes, I'm always true to you, darlin', in my way.
From Milwaukee Mister Fritz
Often moves me to the Ritz,
Mister Fritz is full of Schlitz and full of play.
But I'm always true to you, darlin', in my fashion,
Yes, I'm always true to you, darlin', in my way.
Mister Harris, plutocrat,
Wants to give my cheek a pat,
If the Harris pat
Means a Paris hat,
Bébé, Oo-la-la!
Mais je suis toujour fidèle, darlin', in my fashion,
Oui, je suis toujour fidèle, darlin', in my way."