Archive: Arts & Entertainment

The Kitchen Theatre Company will begin the New Year with a romantic love-triangle set to music in Bed & Sofa , a silent movie opera by Polly Pen and Laurence Klavan. When a young couple takes in a boarder, the duet becomes a trio, igniting passion and starting conflict. Who sleeps in the bed and who sleeps on the sofa? Bed & Sofa begins previews January 19, 20, and 21. Opening Night is January 22, and then continues through February 6, 2011. Bed & Sofa is recommended for ages 16 and up.

The game of musical bed and sofa takes place in 1926 Soviet Moscow. Times are hard in Stalinist Russia and everyone is a cog in the wheel. Ludmilla, (Erica Steinhagen), keeps house but wishes for more. Her husband Kolya (David Neal), a construction manager, accepts the status quo. When Kolya meets an old army buddy, Volodya (Patrick Oliver Jones), who has been displaced by the Moscow housing shortage, Kolya offers him the sofa in their cramped flat. In their military days, Kolya and Volodya shared a similar life philosophy. Now Kolya is content, while Volodya is restless and unsatisfied. Bed & Sofa explores the paths imposed on us and the bravery required to forge our own way.

First produced in Summer 2002, the KTC is delighted to have Director Susannah Berryman and Music Director Richard Montgomery (PRECIOUS NONSENSE, TONY & THE SOPRANO, BED NO BREAKFAST among others) return to lead this production. Popular Kitchen Theatre veteran actress Erica Steinhagen (PRECIOUS NONSENSE, BED NO BREAKFAST, TONY & THE SOPRANO, WE WON’T PAY! among others) will be reprising her original role of Ludmilla. Joining her will be NYC actor Patrick Oliver Jones (AEA), and David Neal from Cortland, NY who will both be making their KTC debuts.

The stage version of Bed & Sofa is based on a 1928 Russian silent film of the same name directed by Abram Room. The story of a married couple, an invited guest and the events that unfold was controversial and shocking for its time. In 1996, the composer/lyricist team of Polly Pen and Laurence Klavan transformed Bed & Sofa into an intricate and innovative musical with a story still as startling and surprising as ever. Pen and Klavan’s whimsical score and haunting libretto give voice to the muted hearts of its three characters, winning two 1996 Obie Awards (Distinguished Music and Best Musical) and seven nominations for 1996 Drama Desk Awards.

The Scenic Designer for Bed & Sofa is Steve TenEyck, Lighting Designer is Max Doolittle, Costume Designer is Lisa Boquist, Sound and Projection Designer is Lesley Greene, and the Stage Manager is LaShawn Keyser. All performances will be at the Kitchen Theatre’s brand new location – 417 W. State / Martin Luther King, Jr. Street, in downtown Ithaca, NY.

Performance Dates: Wed., Jan. 19, 2011 at 7:30pm (Preview 1 of 2) Thurs., Jan. 20, 2011 at 7:30pm (Preview 2 of 3) Fri., Jan. 21, 2011 at 8:00pm (Preview 3 of 3) Sat., Jan. 22, 2011 at 8:00pm (Press Opening) Sun., Jan. 23, 2011 at 4:00pm Wed., Jan. 26, 2011 at 7:30pm Thurs., Jan. 27, 2011 at 2:00pm Thurs., Jan. 27, 2011 at 7:30pm Fri., Jan. 28, 2011 at 8:00pm (Wine Tasting) Sat., Jan. 29, 2011 at 8:00pm Sun., Jan. 30, 2011 at 4:00pm Wed., Feb. 2, 2011 at 7:30pm Thurs., Feb. 3, 2011 at 7:30pm Fri., Feb. 4, 2011 at 8:00pm Sat., Feb. 5, 2011 at 8:00pm Sun., Feb. 6, 2011 at 4:00pm (Closing)

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