KTC Begins 21st Season with CIRCLE MIRROR TRANSFORMATION, Opens 8/27

The Kitchen Theatre Company's 21st season opens with the regional premiere of Circle Mirror Transformation by Annie Baker. Previews are on August 24, 25, and 26, Opening Night is August 27, and performances continue through September 11, 2011.

With Circle Mirror Transformation, the Kitchen brings rising star Annie Baker's first major play to Ithaca. It is a funny, moving, and emotionally true comedy about the awkward but occasionally life changing experiences that can occur when people are forced to get to know one another in an intimate situation. Set in small town Vermont, Circle Mirror Transformation brings together five would-be actors in a "creative drama" class at a community center.

Whether one has signed up for an improv class or a pottery workshop or been required to attend a team-building exercise at work, most of us have been thrust into a small group of people to solve a problem or find a new way of expressing oneself, with the hope of some kind of change. These five characters play games and exercises that are standard fare in beginning acting classes and team-building workshops, and we get to see their successes and embarrassments. Writer Annie Baker never shies away from the interminable silence that comes when the next word is simply not there or the fear of trying something new with others watching. The play is a mirror reflecting everyone's longing for acceptance and belonging, with characters who are loveable for their shortcomings and their familiarity.

The New York Times' Anita Gates calls the play "unblinking and sharply funny" and says that the script "constantly surprises, revealing character and philosophical truths in enticing, funny way."

Kitchen veteran Norm Johnson will direct the production. Johnson served as KTC's Artistic Director from 1993-1997 and has directed numerous productions at the Kitchen, including A Perfect Ganesh, The Intelligent Design of Jenny Chow and The Road to Mecca. He is an Associate Professor at Ithaca College.

The Kitchen welcomes back a cast of familiar faces for Circle Mirror Transformation. Regional actor Camilla Schade, last seen in the Kitchen's Private Lives, will play Marty. Ithaca College professor and Kitchen veteran Greg Bostwick will play James, and Dean Robinson* returns to the Kitchen as Schultz. Alison Claire Scaramella, last seen in boom will play Lauren, while Jennifer Herzog* (First Day) will play Theresa. (*members AEA)

David L. Arsenault is the Set and Lighting Designer for Circle Mirror Transformation and Lisa Boquist is the Costume Designer. The Stage Manager is Kate Matthews and the Production 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.

For tickets, call Ticket Center Ithaca at 607-273-4497, visit the Ticket Center at 171 The Commons, Ithaca, NY, or click www.kitchentheatre.org to buy online.

Performance Dates:
Wed., Aug. 24, 2011 at 7:30pm (Preview 1 of 3)
Thurs., Aug 25, 2011 at 7:30pm (Preview 2 of 3)
Fri., Aug. 26, 2011 at 8:00pm (Preview 3 of 3)
Sat., Aug. 27, 2011 at 8:00pm (Press Opening)
Sun., Aug. 28, 2011 at 4:00pm
Wed., Aug. 31, 2011 at 7:30pm
Thurs., Sept. 1, 2011 at 2:00pm (Matinee)
Thurs., Sept. 1, 2011 at 7:30pm
Fri., Sept. 2, 2011 at 8:00pm
Sat., Sept. 3, 2011 at 8:00pm
Sun., Sept. 4, 2011 at 4:00pm
Wed., Sept. 7, 2011 at 7:30pm
Thurs., Sept. 8, 2011 at 7:30pm
Fri., Sept. 9, 2011 at 8:00pm
Sat., Sept. 10, 2011 at 8:00pm
Sun., Sept. 11, 2011 at 4:00pm (Closing)

Bold, intimate, engaging...Kitchen Theatre Company (KTC), now in its 21st season, is downtown Ithaca's critically acclaimed and nationally recognized year-round professional theater company, specializing in regional and world premiere plays and musicals. KTC's intimate 99-seat theater is in its newly renovated "green" building in the West End neighborhood of downtown Ithaca, New York. KTC is the first not-for-profit recipient of the David R. Strong Memorial "Small Business of the Year" Award from the Tompkins County Chamber of Commerce and receives public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts, a State Agency, and the Tompkins County Room Occupancy Tax Fund. The Kitchen Theatre Company also receives general operating support from the Shubert Foundation.

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