Were Thine That Special Face (from "Kiss Me Kate"): Piano/Vocal/Chords

Kiss Me, Kate contains some of Porter's most enduring and singable material, making this collection invaluable for any program incorporating Broadway repertoire. The range of song styles within the show means you can draw from it for recitals, concert programming, or audition preparation without retreading the same musical ground. The 120-page edition with historical context and first-hand accounts from the original production gives singers and pianists insight into how these songs were meant to land in performance.

These songs sparkle with mid-century sophistication. You hear razor-sharp rhythms, clever rhymes that make you want to smile, and harmonies that shimmer beneath deceptively simple melodies. Whether singing a love ballad or a comedic patter song, you're always aware that Porter has written something both theatrical and genuinely beautiful.

Singer-pianists preparing Broadway repertoire for recitals, auditions, or concert programs will find this collection essential. Voice teachers using musical theatre as part of their studio curriculum can select from 19 songs that span multiple vocal styles and dramatic scenarios. Pianists accompanying singers in rehearsal or performance will value the complete harmonic roadmap and authentic orchestration details.

• Navigate Porter's harmonic language by identifying the song's key center early in your preparation; his chromatic voice leading can obscure tonality if you're not anchored to the root
• Approach the phrasing as you would in speech; Porter's lyrics are written to land conversationally, so over-legit singing flattens the wit and charm that makes these songs memorable
• Pay attention to the chord symbols for solo piano accompaniment; the voicings Porter suggests capture the jazz and popular idioms of the 1940s and inform how you shape the vocal line
• Study the tempo markings carefully; songs like 'Too Darn Hot' and 'Brush Up Your Shakespeare' derive much of their comedic effect from rhythmic precision and conversational pacing

Program individual songs from Kiss Me, Kate in mixed recitals alongside art songs, jazz standards, or songs from other musical theatre composers to showcase range and versatility. A cluster of three to five songs from the show can anchor a Broadway-focused concert, especially if paired with dialogue or staging that emphasizes the show's comedic spirit. Audition coaching benefits tremendously from this book; many songs work well for soprano, mezzo, and belt singers.

• Interpreting chromatic harmony and non-diatonic voice leading in melodic singing
• Matching phrasing and articulation to comic timing and lyrical intent
• Reading and realizing chord symbols for piano accompaniment
• Balancing legit vocal production with theatrical character work and comedic clarity