 The music and lyrics are by Porter and the book is by Samuel and Bella Spewack.It is at least partially based on the 1935/1936 Theatre Guild production of "Taming of the Shrew", which starred husband and wife Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne, whose backstage fights became legendary.The musical tells the story of a husband and wife acting duo (Fred and Lilli) attempting to stage "The Taming of the Shrew", but whose backstage fights keep getting in the way.