Archive: Arts & Entertainment

Kitchen Theatre Company's 25th Anniversary Season continues with I AND YOU by Lauren Gunderson. Playwright Gunderson is intrigued by the contrast between what is on the surface and what lies underneath. She asks important questions about how we connect with others and what our legacy will be. And she boldly puts these questions and reflections into the hearts and minds of two unforgettable, offbeat teenage characters.

Caroline and Anthony have to complete an assignment for English class on the poem "Song of Myself" from Walt Whitman's epic Leaves of Grass. The push and pull between two young people from different backgrounds becomes a multi-layered conversation about Whitman's poetry and the meaning of their lives.
 
"This is such a wonderfully complex piece," says Rachel Lampert, Kitchen Theatre Company artistic director. "I love the play's humor and energy as well as the deep underpinnings that are revealed as the play progresses. Both of these characters are 'old souls' with so much to share with audiences of all ages. I was delighted find this play and include it on our season."


I AND YOU is directed by Kitchen Theatre Company Artistic Associate Emily Jackson. Jackson directed last season's COUNT ME IN and PHYSICS FAIR. She leads a cast of two newcomers to Kitchen Theatre Company. Ian Duff (Anthony) is a recent graduate of the Neighborhood Playhouse in NYC and Anna Stefanic*(Caroline) is a graduate of the American Musical and Dramatic Academy who has recently worked with New Light Theater Project, Bedlam Ensemble, and TheatreworksUSA.

The design team is led by Tyler M. Perry, who will be designing the set and lights. Perry's work at Kitchen Theatre Company includes last season's sets and lights for THE HOUSE, COUNT ME IN, and THIN WALLS and the lighting for LONELY PLANET. Returning to design costumes is Amanda Aiken. Her past KTC designs includes SUNSET BABY, SEMINAR and Dance the Night Away. Sound designer Josh Samuels will be designing at the Kitchen Theatre Company for the first time with this production.  The production stage manager is Jen Schilansky.

In conjunction with the Ithaca premiere of I AND YOU, Kitchen Theatre Company will present a number of ancillary events. Post-show talkbacks are scheduled for Sunday, November 8, Tuesday, November 10, and Wednesday, November 11 (preview performances), and Friday, November 20 (facilitated by Lee Rayburn of WHCU). On Wednesday, October 18 at 6:30 PM, there will be a free reception and pre-show talk.
 
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