Archive: Arts & Entertainment

The Kitchen Theatre Company’s 20th Anniversary continues with the regional premiere of boom by Peter Sinn Nachtrieb—an explosive new comedy about the end of the world. boom has previews on February 23, 24, and 25. Opening Night is February 26, and performances continue through March 13, 2011. boom is recommended for ages sixteen and up.

Jules is a graduate student studying fish behavior who is absolutely certain that the fish are predicting a comet strike that will change life as we know it. Jo is an undergraduate journalism major who answers an ad on craigslist promising a life-altering sexual encounter. Are they the new Adam and Eve? And who is this woman who seems to controlling the scene from the outside?

Directing this comedy is Samuel Buggeln, director of last season’s Speech & Debate. Alison Scaramella, who delighted audiences as the quirky, singing video blogger in the same play, returns to the Kitchen Theatre as Jo. Playing the role of Barbara is New York City-based Ronica V. Reddick (AEA), an Ithaca College graduate who last appeared at the Kitchen in Tanya Barfield’s Pecan Tan. Also from New York City is actor Jimmy King (AEA), who played the role of Jules in the original Brown/Trinity Playwrights Rep workshop production of boom in 2007.

“I am so excited to be working on this play in the new Kitchen Theatre,” says director Samuel Buggeln. “The play is funny and smart—a perfect fit for Ithaca audiences. The set is a super fun element and one that could never have worked in the old Kitchen Theatre space. I can only describe it as a cross between a futuristic museum display, a scientific laboratory, and a strangely overstocked bachelor pad. You will have to see it to believe it!”

The Kitchen Theatre will be partnering with the Museum of the Earth for four panel discussions of the scientific topics raised by this play. The first of these will be a Meet the Artist event on February 13, 2011 from 4 PM to 6 PM, which will include an excerpt from the play and discussion with Artistic Director Rachel Lampert, director Samuel Buggeln, and Museum of the Earth director Warren Allmon. This event is free and open to the public and is a part of the Museum of the Earth’s Darwin Days (February 6 – 13). Museum of the Earth staff will also join in the post-show discussions for all three preview performances of the play (February 23, 24, and 25 – ticket required).

The Scenic Designer for boom is Daniel Zimmerman, Lighting Designer is Max Doolittle, Costume Designer is Lisa Boquist, Sound Designer is Ben Truppin-Brown, Projection Designer is Lesley Greene, and the Stage Manager is LaShawn Keyser. Performances will be at the Kitchen Theatre, located at 417 W. State / Martin Luther King, Jr. Street in downtown Ithaca, NY.

Performance Dates: Wed., Feb. 23, 2011 at 7:30pm (Preview 1 of 2) Thurs., Feb. 24, 2011 at 7:30pm (Preview 2 of 3) Fri., Feb. 25, 2011 at 8:00pm (Preview 3 of 3) Sat., Feb. 26, 2011 at 8:00pm (Press Opening) Sun., Feb. 27, 2011 at 4:00pm Wed., Mar. 02, 2011 at 7:30pm Thurs., Mar. 03, 2011 at 2:00pm Thurs., Mar. 03, 2011 at 7:30pm Fri., Mar. 04, 2011 at 8:00pm (Wine Tasting) Sat., Mar. 05, 2011 at 8:00pm Sun., Mar. 06, 2011 at 4:00pm Wed., Mar. 09, 2011 at 7:30pm Thurs., Mar. 10, 2011 at 7:30pm Fri., Mar. 11, 2011 at 8:00pm Sat., Mar. 12, 2011 at 8:00pm Sun., Mar. 13, 2011 at 4:00pm (Closing)

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