Kitchen Theatre Company Presents The Mystery of Irma Vep Through 12/18

Spice up the holiday season at the Kitchen Theatre Company; their 21st season continues with the ever-popular and side-splitting Gothic comedy, The Mystery of Irma Vep. Opening Night is December 3. The show runs for only three weeks, closing on December 18, 2011.

Grease up your funny bone and practice your breathing, because the Kitchen Theatre Company is planning to keep you laughing until your belly aches and your cheeks freeze into a perpetual smile. "How?" you say. Through the deliriously madcap Drama Desk Award-winning play The Mystery of Irma Vep. It's not rocket science to understand why this is one of the most produced plays season after season all across the globe. Ludlam's irresistible, wickedly funny, cross-dressing send-up of the gothic horror genre (and practically everything else), leaves no stone unturned, no pun unspoken and no wig unstyled. From the moment the play begins on a "dark and stormy night" in the Victorian mansion known as Mandacrest, it is clear that things are not what they seem to be. The enigmatic Lord Edgar and his new, inexperienced young bride, Lady Enid are off to a rough start. The ghost of his former wife - the late Irma Vep - haunts him. And with mysterious servants like Jane and Nicodemus, who wouldn't wonder what a dark night could bring? Of course, all this is grist for the brilliant mind of playwright Charles Ludlam, whose love of great literature, stage and film divas, gender-bending theatrical exploits, and consuming desire to break all the rules combine in this wonderful spectacle.

From Mandacrest to Egypt and back again, a large cast of characters brings the play to life. And they are all played by just two actors! KTC welcomes back veterans Jesse Bush* (Precious Nonsense) and Tony Roach* (Secret Order), who will get an incredible workout as they make one quick change after another to put on this super fast-paced play. The Mystery of Irma Vep will be directed by Kitchen Theatre Artistic Director Rachel Lampert. "I love working with Tony and Jesse, and the fact that they will be in a play together is already making me laugh," says Rachel Lampert. "This is a great show for the whole family (everyone 10+), with so many unexpected curveballs, you need a notepad to keep track." (*Member, AEA)

Don't miss the special event on December 9th - a preshow primer on Queer Theatre with a guest speaker and music by the Gay Men's Chorus. For December 9th and all group sales, call (607) 272-0403. And keep an eye on our website and Facebook for backstage access to the show - www.kitchentheatre.org.

Tim Borden is the Set Designer and Scenic Artist for The Mystery of Irma Vep; Tyler Perry is the Lighting Designer, Lisa Boquist is the Costume Designer, and Lesley Greene is the Sound Designer. 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.

Tickets are available at the Ticket Center (visit 171 The Commons, or call 607-273-4497) and online at www.kitchentheatre.org. For the holidays, treat yourself or a friend to a Taste of the Kitchen 3-Play Pass, also available at the Ticket Center and online.

 

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