Archive: Arts & Entertainment

ITHACA, NY: The Kitchen Theatre Company's FAMILY FARE series continues in January with the world premiere, I Have a Song to Sing O! an interactive musical and sing-a-long for the entire family with book by Rachel Lampert and music and lyrics by Gilbert & Sullivan. I Have a Song to Sing O! opens on January 28 and closes on February 11 with performances on Saturdays at 1:00 and 3:00pm and Sundays at 1:00 pm. This production marks the third of three original musicals in a performance series created for children and their grownups.

Meet the Corcoran family:  Cameron (Bret Bossard), Camilla (Perri LoPinto), Cameron's mother Corinna (Percy Browning) charming children Carrington, Calypso, Calliope, and the youngest, Bob (Abel McSurely Bradshaw, Katie Lane, Alex LoPinto and Kevin Hilgartner).  It's perfectly normal for them to get up every morning, have breakfast, get ready for their day and sing Gilbert and Sullivan songs each step of the way!  Even the Corcoran's nosey neighbors Mr. and Mrs. Snivvel (Stephen Nunley and Lesley Greene) are itching to get into the act.  And, the audience plays a vital role, because this show is an interactive sing-a-long -- but don't worry, you won't be dragged onto the stage. Instead, the infectious melodies and energetic cast will make it difficult not to tap your toes and sing along from your seat!

Playwright/lyricist/director Rachel Lampert, who also serves as KTC's Artistic Director, has authored many original FAMILY FARE productions (Winter Tales, The Odyssey Part I, Science Fair, A December Suite, The Sisters Fitzenstarts Fall Recital, The Emmett & Hambone Stories and Fools!  Schmools!) and adaptations (A Christmas Carol, Pirates of Penzance, HMS Pinafore and The Mikado).  She has chosen her favorite songs from Gilbert and Sullivan's best-loved operettas including Pirates of Penzance, H.M.S. Pinafore, The Mikado, and Yeomen of the Guard.  "In our past productions of Gilbert and Sullivan operettas," says Lampert, "it's been fun to introduce this music to new audiences and see the long-time G&S fans try and not sing-a-long.  So this time we are inviting them to join in!"

Richard Montgomery (Precious Nonsense, Master Class, Tony & the Soprano) serves as musical director and live accompanist for the performances.

The scenic design, built upon the set for the Kitchen's Mainstage production of Tony & the Soprano, is by Dan Meeker and lighting and costume design is by Hannah Kochman. The original artwork for the I Have a Song to Sing O! poster image was created by Ithaca High School alum (2004) Lorenda Harrell.

Kitchen Theatre Company's FAMILY FARE series brings original programming that is entertaining for children and their grownups to Central New York.  The season includes The Odyssey Part I presented October 2005, Winter Tales presented December 2005 and coming up in March, internationally renowned storyteller Alice Eve Cohen returns with The Parrot (part of KITCHEN COUNTER CULTURE series). FAMILY FARE is underwritten by Tompkins Trust Company and sponsored by The Cat's Pajamas and Vector Magnetics.

Performance Dates:
January 28, 2006, Saturday at 1:00 pm
January 28, 2006, Saturday at 3:00 pm
January 29, 2006, Sunday at 1:00 pm (PRESS OPENING)
February 4, 2006, Saturday at 1:00 pm
February 4, 2006, Saturday at 3:00 pm
February 5, 2006, Sunday at 1:00 pm
February 11, 2006, Saturday at 1:00 pm
February 11, 2006, Saturday at 3:00 pm (CLOSING)