Under the direction of Alan Paul, with smooth and sexy choreography from Michele Lynch, Shakespeare Theatre Company's KISS ME, KATE opened last week to a well-deserved standing ovation. KATE, with music & lyrics by Cole Porter and book by Samuel & Bella Spewack, tells the story of a few backstage romances in the late 40s, during a touring production of Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew. The estranged Lilli Vanessi - the leading lady (Christine Sherrill) and Fred Graham -