EMMETT AND ELLA: THE PUPPY PLOT Comes to The Kitchen Theatre

Fitz&Startz Productions' spring production of Emmett & Ella: The Puppy Plot comes to the Kitchen Theatre Company, 417 West MLK/State Street, on Saturday, April 28 at 1pm & 3pm, and Saturday, May 5 at 1pm & 3pm. With book/lyrics by Rachel Lampert and music by Lesley Greene, this is a music- and laugh-filled production for the whole family. Tickets are available online at kitchentheatre.org or by phone at 607 272-0570. Adults $12, children (under 14) $8.

They're back! Those lovable, unpredictable canines you met last year in Emmett & Ella's Big Apple Escapade are in for a new adventure in Emmett & Ella: The Puppy Plot. Here's the scoop: It's summertime, and Louella (Emmett and Ella's enthusiastic and outgoing human) is planning a big talent show to raise funds for a new animal shelter. She is over-the-top involved in making this the greatest event her town has ever seen. She's also agreed to host her grandniece and grandnephew, Sierra and Adam, for a whole month. Canines Emmett and Ella can't wait. They remember Sierra and Adam's last visit three years earlier as the greatest time in their entire doggy lives! But when Sierra and Adam arrive, it is clear from their first hello that they are not the happy kids Emmett and Ella remember. What's going on? Emmett and Ella race to consult with their doggy pal Rags about what they can do to make Sierra and Adam happier. But when they find Rags, they discover he has his own set of challenges: Rags has just found two abandoned puppies. Two unhappy kids, two abandoned puppies! These are the ingredients that set in motion The Puppy Plot. Will Emmett and Ella find a way to help Sierra and Adam have a better summer? Is there a forever home for the two puppies? And, will Louella's determination result in the "best talent show, and the best animal shelter ever?" You'll have to come see the show to find out!

The cast of six includes Benno Ressa, reprising his role as lovable hound dog Emmett. Natasha Bratkovski, who appeared in the Fitz&Startz Production The Mystery of the Magic Flute, plays Ella, a sweet-natured retriever. Mike Cyr, who appeared in several past Lampert/Greene collaborations including A December Suite, joins Fitz&Startz in the role of Louella. Veteran Fitz&Startz actors Jewell Payne and Christian Henry play Sierra and Adam, respectively. And, new to Fitz&Startz is Ithaca College sophomore Adrian Amador, playing Rags. Rachel Lampert (playwright, lyricist, director), Lesley Greene (composer), Travis Knapp (music director), Hannah Kochman (costume design), Scott Hitz (puppet consultant), Loren Roth (stage manager) and Will Gfeller (assistant director) are the creative team behind this play for all ages. "It's been so much fun watch and hear Lesley's brand-new score come to life. We have a terrific cast of talented singers who are making the most of her beautiful and bouncy tunes", says Rachel Lampert. "And it's a great story!" adds Lesley Greene. "And on top of all that, we've added some puppetry to this production, making it even more delightful for us and the audience. Who can resist a puppy puppet?" Sponsorship support for Kitchen Theatre Company's presentation of Theatre for All Ages comes from CFCU Community Credit Union and Agava Restaurant.

Four performances in Ithaca - Saturday, April 28, 2018 and Saturday, May 5, 2018, with performances at 1pm and 3pm both days. Reserved seating. Tickets available by phone (607) 272-0570, online at kitchentheatre.org and in person at the Kitchen Theatre Company box office Saturdays and Sundays 12noon-4pm. Performances are at the Kitchen Theatre Company, 417 West MLK/State Street, Ithaca, NY. Performances in Ithaca: April 28 at 1pm April 28 at 3pm May 5 at 1pm May 5 at 3pm

Fitz&Startz Productions grew from the long-time collaboration of Lesley Greene and Rachel Lampeert. They co-wrote their first musical together in 2001 and since then have co-written and/or co-produced over a dozen musicals and plays geared to young audiences and their families. Fizt&Startz Productions works with actors, directors, and designers from our community who share our interest in creating the exciting, educational and always entertaining productions that are enjoyed by three-year-olds, ninety-three-year-olds and everyone in between. (If you are older than 93, please don't hesitate to join us. And, if you are younger than 3, please join us and start getting your theater mojo going.

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