Kitchen Theatre Opens Theresa Rebeck's SEMINAR Tonight

Next up at Ithaca's Kitchen Theatre Company is a comedy: Theresa Rebeck's Broadway hit, SEMINAR. When four aspiring young authors sign up for a 10-session private class on fiction with an illustrious literary figure, they get a lot more than they bargained for. Leonard's ruthless and unorthodox teaching methods cause tensions to mount and egos to clash. Can they make it through? Find out when you see this bitingly funny show. Opening night is tonight, May 3, and the play closes on May 18.

Theresa Rebeck is an American playwright, television writer, and novelist. Her work has appeared on the Broadway and Off-Broadway stage, in film, and on television - including the hit show, Smash. SEMINAR premiered on Broadway in November of 2011. Popular with audiences and critics, the play has gone on to productions all over the country. The Kitchen Theatre Company is pleased to be producing the play's regional premiere.

The Kitchen Theatre's production is directed by Resident Director Margarett Perry** (at the Kitchen: this season's c*ckand Heroes, as well as Brian Dykstra Selling Out, Mrs. Mannerly, Call Me Waldo, Private Lives, A Marriage Minuet, and more).

Playing Leonard is NYC actor Brian Dykstra*, who recently appeared on Broadway with Tom Hanks in Lucky Guy. Kitchen Theatre audiences are familiar with Dykstra's work as a playwright and actor. He appeared last season in his one-man play, Brian Dykstra Selling Out, and previously in Call Me Waldo, Private Lives and A Marriage Minuet as well as his plays Clean Alternatives, A Play on Words, Strangerhorse, The Jesus Factor, and HO!. Completing the cast are four actors new to the Kitchen: Dana Berger, Matthew Bretschneider*, David McElwee*, and Alex Sunderhaus.

Scenic and Lighting Design is by David Arsenault, Costume Design is by Amanda Aiken, Sound Design is by Ian Crawford, and the Production Stage Manager is Jen Schilansky*. (*member, AEA; **member, SDC)

In conjunction with the Ithaca premiere of SEMINAR, the Kitchen Theatre Company will present a number of ancillary events: free pre-show discussion with local experts on issues related to the play and post-show talk backs with the cast and artistic director. Pre-show talks are scheduled for Thursday, May 8 and Thursday, May 15 at 6:30pm. Post-show talkbacks are scheduled for April 30, May 1, and May 3 (preview performances), and on Fridays May 9 and 16. Please check our website for more events: www.kitchentheatre.org.