Press Room

Press Releases

Articles

WSKG Radio, 1/10/08: Rachel Lampert and Larry Pressgrove speak with WSKG's Bill Snyder about BED NO BREAKFAST

The Ithacan, 11/15/07: One man show hits Ithaca
Assistant News Editor Kathy Laluk interviews Darian Dauchan

The Ithaca Times, 11/14/07: One man media circus
Joshua Pederson talks to Darian Dauchan about MEDIA MADNESS

The Ithaca Journal, 10/27/07: Dykstra brings one-man show ‘The Jesus Factor' to Kitchen Theatre
Jim Catalano talks to Brian Dykstra about his latest piece

The Ithacan, 9/27/07: Memories fuel comedy act
Joni Sweet interviews Vijai Nathan

Reviews

Souvenir

The small size of Ithaca’s Kitchen Theatre in no way implies any diminution of professional standards... Ithaca’s Kitchen Theatre once again sets a high mark, this time in a comedy with more heart than we had any right to expect. - James MacKillop, Syracuse New Times

"That irresistible urge to laugh, deeply, helplessly, is what Kitchen Theatre’s season finale of Stephen Temperley’s “Souvenir” is inducing in audiences right now. ...“Souvenir” will not only have you laughing uncontrollably – you’ll never hear music the same way again." - Barbara Adams, Ithaca Journal

"Art may thrill the soul," Cosmé muses, "but its sole purpose is to teach." One thing we can learn from Souvenir... is the capacity for widespread captivation by someone who persists at what they love no matter how ruthlessly he or she is criticized." - Mark Tedeschi, Ithaca Times

Scoot, Sizzle & Slide

"The endlessly inventive Rachel Lampert, the Kitchen Theatre Company's artistic director, draws on her years of experience as a choreographer and dancer to shape a wonderful new production for the Kitchen's Family Fare series.

This is a beautifully realized, highly entertaining show for children and adults, for those who love dance and those who think they don't understand it. Once again, as we've seen in previous kids' shows at The Kitchen, here's theater at its most magical." - Barbara Adams, Ithaca Journal

The Jesus Factor

"Democracy needs defenders who are courageous, outspoken and intelligent. Democracy needs its solid citizens, its citizen-comedians, you could say. And Dykstra's right there." - Paul Hansom, Ithaca Times

Old Times

"Pinter's precise, poetic language alternately darts and drifts out of the actors' mouths. His words are a joy to listen to, especially when they're delivered with the scrupulousness of these three players." - Mark Tedeschi, Ithaca Times

"'Fun' is not a word one associated with Harold Pinter. You have to see Kitchen’s Old Times to believe it." - James MacKillop, Syracuse New Times

"Director Margarett Perry has smartly unfolded tight character conflicts before at the Kitchen: Brian Dykstra's “Clean Alternatives” and “Strangerhorse” and David Wiltse's “A Marriage Minuet.” Here she has a local dream cast" - Barbara Adams, Ithaca Journal

Emmett & Ella's Big Apple Escapade

"Attending the production of a play is a great way to spend a family outing. And when that play teaches a few lessons, the outing can become a nice way to open up the lines of communication with your children. That is just what the production of “Emmett and Ella's Big Apple Escapade” held Sunday at the Auburn Public Theater had in store for eager guests." - Jennifer Hogan, The Auburn Citizen

"Runaways Emmett and Ella (both charmingly acted and sung) eventually find their owner, “the human with the screechy voice,” and naturally are both reprimanded and rewarded. This musical's tidy storyline, some clever lyrics, and above all, the lively actors will leave you quoting the Canine Code: “It's not whether you win or lose, it's whether you have loved a dog.” - Barbara Adams, Ithaca Journal

Bed No Breakfast

"In every aspect, “Bed No Breakfast” is a charming show. A little, intimate show, but one that's psychologically smart and terribly funny. Last week's opening night audience laughed nearly nonstop." - Barbara Adams, Ithaca Journal

"When it comes to new original musical comedies, so vital to our culture and economy, Bed No Breakfast proves we’re bursting with talent and joy." - James MacKillop, Syracuse New Times

"The all-around success of this show lies in its relaxed suggestion: Step back and appreciate what surrounds you, no matter where you are, who you're with, or what you plan to do next. I'm a sucker for light done right, and the Kitchen should be proud of Bed No Breakfast." - Mark Tedeschi, Ithaca Times

Nine Parts of Desire

"Lanna Joffrey, under O’Reilly’s direction, presents each character as a discrete portrait, lithe and quick passing from one character to the next but thunderous when emotions are calamitous. ... This is a work that has been hailed wherever it goes, being named one of the top five plays in London by the The Independent in 2004 and performed to packed houses at Manhattan’s Ensemble Theatre last year. That’s what brings Syracuse theater buffs down to Ithaca in the winter." - James MacKillop, Syracuse New Times

"Here, the actress-director team of Lanna Joffrey and Carmel O'Reilly unite again - they worked together on this piece last year in Boston - and they've collaborated with the creative staff at the Kitchen to generate a moving, intense, and overall remarkable production." - Mark Tedeschi, Ithaca Times

"Of Iranian-American heritage, with strong features and thick, dark hair, [Joffrey] easily physically embodies each Iraqi woman. Without intermission in the 90-minute show, she flows from one character to the next, each defined onstage by signature gestures, manners, or clothing, as well as effectively detailed in space by Solomon Weisbard's lighting." - Barbara Adams, Ithaca Journal

STRANGERHORSE

"The Kitchen Theatre has always been devoted to new plays, and it takes particular risks whenever original work is premiered in the mainstage season. But the risk in producing "Strangerhorse" is well rewarded. ... An intense portrait of love and betrayal in a compromised society." - Barbara Adams, Ithaca Journal

"2007 has been an incomparably good year for new local shows, or “world premieres,” and Ithaca’s Kitchen Theatre has offered a more congenial stage for them than any other company. ...Brian Dykstra already has an international reputation, well-grounded on his surpassing verbal pyrotechnics and an almost Hitchcockian sense of how an everyday encounter can be rewritten to rattle your timbers." - James MacKillop, Syracuse New Times

"The performances of the core cast of Strangerhorse are fantastic. Henderson's Graham draws flattering comparisons to Jeffrey Wright's turn as Belize in Mike Nichols' film version of Angels in America." - Joshua Pederson, Ithaca Times

Adventure in Apartment G#

"The Kitchen Theatre's Adventure in Apartment G Sharp uses conventional elements of family-friendly storytelling, from the intermittent jokes for grown-ups to a sleep-induced fantasy world. But conventions like those exist for a reason: if executed with talent and enthusiasm, they can easily plaster smiles all over the audience's face. Smile-inducing is exactly what Adventure does for kids and parents alike, and the grins will stay for quite awhile." - Mark Tedeschi, Ithaca Times

"The comedy bubbles and the music buoys you, the ensemble work is fine, but the heart of this show is the self-possessed, articulate, and impeccably comic delivery of Erin Hilgartner." - Barbara Adams, Ithaca Journal

The Angle of the Sun (at the New York Musical Theatre Festival)

"Genuine and subtle in its feelings about the unexpected turns of life and the urge to create art, The Angle of the Sun is a finely wrought and superbly performed intimate musical." - Ron Cohen, Backstage.Com

The Clean House

"It's no illusion — the Kitchen Theatre keeps on getting better and better. ...the Kitchen's production, under the intelligent direction of Sara Lampert Hoover (whose work here over 10 seasons has been exceptional), is both intimate and dazzling." - Barbara Adams, Ithaca Journal

"The Kitchen Theatre opens its 17th season with the Pulitzer-nominated comedy The Clean House, here directed by Sara Lampert Hoover, a complex but enjoyable example of the passionate work that the Kitchen consistently shares." - Mark Tedeschi, Ithaca Times

"Fifteen minutes into this tart comedy and you see why reviewers have such a hard time nailing down [Ruhl's] mercurial—and astonishing—talent." - James MacKillop, Syracuse New Times