Kitchen Theatre Company to Present New Comedy DANCING LESSONS This Spring

Next up on Kitchen Theatre Company's 25th Anniversary Season is a warm, new comedy: DANCING LESSONS by Mark St. Germain Ithaca, NY: Kitchen Theatre Company's 25th Anniversary season continues with the romantic comedy Dancing Lessons by Mark St. Germain. Dancing Lessons opens for previews on March 20th and runs until April 3rd.

It's easy for two people to live for years in the same New York City building just two floors apart and never lay eyes on each other, much less engage in conversation. So, when science professor Ever Montgomery knocks on out-of-commission dancer Senga Quinn's door to ask for a dance lesson, they meet as total strangers. Each of them has challenges: she has isolated herself in her apartment while she tries to deal with an injury that might end her career, and he has Asperger's Syndrome, making social interactions extremely difficult. Ever is required to attend an event where social dance is required, and Senga is popping painkillers and has little empathy or interest. He is persistent if not graceful. She is graceful if not tolerant. But through the wonderfully honest and engaging dialogue of playwright Mark St. Germain in his runaway hit Dancing Lessons, Ever and Senga find ways to bridge the divide. There is laughter and there are pulls on the heartstrings in this romantic comedy about an unlikely pair.

"We have a great cast and a terrific creative team," says artistic director Rachel Lampert. Leading the team is frequent KTC guest director Sara Lampert Hoover who recently co-directed KTC smash hit Peter and the Starcatcher. Returning to play Senga is Rachel Burttram, last seen in KTC's production of Frankie & Johnny in the Clair de Lune. Newcomer Zack Calhoon join KTC in the role of Ever. The design team includes David Arsenault (set), Tyler M. Perry (lights), Lisa Boquist (costumes), Brad Peterson (projections) and first-time team member Nate Goebel (sound).

In conjunction with the performances of DANCING LESSONS, Kitchen Theatre Company will present a number of ancillary events. Post-show talkbacks are scheduled for Sunday, March 20, Tuesday, March 22, and Wednesday, March 23 (preview performances), and Friday, April 1 (facilitated by Lee Rayburn of WHCU). Tuesday, March 22 is Pay What You Can Night. On Wednesday, March 30 at 6:30 PM, there will be a pre-show talk. Please check our website for more details and events: www.kitchentheatre.org. Dancing Lessons is supported by co-producer Viva Taqueria and Cantina, sponsor PPM Homes, media sponsor WVBR and community sponsor Racker Centers. Opening Night food is provided by ZaZa's Cucina. Wine, beer, and cocktails are available for sale in the Kitchen Theatre Company lobby before and after every performance.

TICKETS AVAILABLE NOW: $15-$40. To purchase, call (607) 272-0570, visit the Kitchen offices (409 W. State St.) Monday-Friday, 10:00 AM-6:00 PM and at the theater (417 W. State St.) Saturday-Sunday, 12:00-4:00 PM, or click www.kitchentheatre.org.

Bold, intimate, engaging... Kitchen Theatre Company (KTC) is downtown Ithaca's critically acclaimed and nationally recognized year-round professional theater company, specializing in regional and world premiere plays and musicals. Now celebrating its 25th Anniversary Season! KTC's intimate 99-seat theater is in its beautifully renovated, LEED-certified 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 Tourism Program.

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