Combine Shakespeare’s “Taming of the Shrew” with Cole Porter’s music and lyrics and you get “Kiss Me Kate” – an instant success with every cast and audience.

Theatergoers will get the chance to see this play-within-a-play when the Meridian Community College Arts & Letters Series presents “Kiss Me Kate” showcasing the talents of the students from Lauderdale County School District.

Two productions will be held in the McCain Theater – a 7 p.m. performance on Saturday and a 2 p.m. matinee on Sunday.

The play centers around an egotistical leading man, Fred Graham, who is reunited with his ex-wife, Lilli Vanessi, and the two are forced to play opposite one another in a new production of Shakespeare’s “Taming of the Shrew.” The battle of the sexes continues onstage and off, as it becomes clear that as much as this couple profess to hate each other, they are also still in love. But there’s more – a number of cases of mistaken identity, some gangsters and additional romantic entanglements. This Broadway classic earned the Tonys’ very first award for Best Musical.

Musical numbers include “Why Can’t You Behave,” “So in Love,” “Wunderbar,” “Where Thine That Special Face,” “Brush Up on Your Shakespeare,” “I Hate Men” and “Another Op’nin, Another Show.”

Tickets are $10 for adults; and $5 for children and may be obtained by calling 601-484-8696.