Reviews

CALL ME WALDO

"Bruce Springsteen by way of Woody Allen, the play Call Me Waldo makes philosophy pop. The Kitchen Theatre hosts a playful romp around American letters through February 5, when it sends it on its way to hit the Off-Broadway Working Theatre on Valentine’s Day. An engaging excavation of the writings of Emerson (the eponymous Waldo), as well as a captivating portrait of mid-life crisis, the play feels perfectly timed as students return to college on East and South Hill. If only class could be this fun." - Luke Fenchel, Ithaca Times

"Energetic, entertaining and just provocative enough to have you dusting off your Emerson." - Barbara Adams, Ithaca Journal

"Emerson was an enormously prolific thinker... and playwright Rob Ackerman argues that if we took seriously even some of his ideas we would find them electrifying, even giving spark to our sex lives. Kitchen’s version of Call Me Waldo is already booked for a February off-Broadway opening at the June Havoc Theatre on West 36th Street in Manhattan, in a production mounted by the Working Theater professional troupe, dedicated to stage works focusing on working people. We saw it first here." - James MacKillop, Syracuse New Times 

"The Kitchen Theater’s world-premiere showing of Call Me Waldo comically explores the double-edged sword of art consumption and the debacle that often results when idealism is practically applied. Actors Brian Dykstra, Rita Rehn, Jennifer Dorr White and Matthew Boston fill kooky character roles in this wildly entertaining Rob Ackerman creation." - Nathan Tailleur, Cornell Daily Sun

THE MYSTERY OF IRMA VEP

""If you're looking for an enjoyable night at the theater, Irma Vep is sure to please." - Lauren Smart, Green Room Reviews

"Director Rachel Lampert understands Ludlam's exaggerated, theatrical spirit and gives free rein to her two talented Equity actors, who flip costumes and characters with astonishing rapidity. ... Both men inhabit their many roles fearlessly (and at times acrobatically), with the high energy and gusto the play demands." - Barbara Adams, Ithaca Journal

"Bush and Roach’s off-the-cusp nature, in combination with Lampert’s clever direction, will give audiences the clues to solve this side-splitting, pun-filled mystery." - Lisa Purrone, The Ithacan

NEAT

"Why do we live in Ithaca? Among other reasons, for the chance to see live theater that's outstanding, memorable and affordable. Look no further than Kitchen Theatre Company's current production of Charlayne Woodard's "Neat," a coming-of-age story of an African-American girl, starring New York actress Karen Pittman. ...At every moment — whether speaking, singing or dancing — Pittman embodies her characters fully, with astonishing emotional presence." - Barbara Adams, Ithaca Journal

"Neat is a tall order for any director, but The Kitchen Theatre’s Sara Lampert Hoover rises magnificently to the challenge. Under her direction, Karen Pittman flourishes, bringing outstanding humanity and humor to each and every role." - Gina Cargas, Cornell Daily Sun

"Pittman balances humor and sadness well, and keeps the audience with her, laughing when she laughs, and sighing when she’s sad. And when Charlayne finds the answer to Neat’s question in a South African boot dance, derived from miners who came from underground, “with heavy boots and heavy burdens” and danced, the audience celebrates with her." - Kelundra Smith, Green Room Reviews

"As the actress works through the narrative of her character’s life, she effectively transitions her voice and physicality to match that of her loved ones and creates the intriguing illusion of multiple actresses on stage." - Lisa Purrone, The Ithacan

IN THE COMPANY OF DANCERS

"'In the Company of Dancers' is artistic director Rachel Lampert's delightful valentine to the spirit and community emerging from dance. Last Saturday night's opening provided a respite from Ithaca's relentless rain and gloomy chill, from the crush of Applefest crowds. Ten dancers — multigenerational and multi-ethnic — unfolded a series of movements that left one aching with the beauty of dance, like a solitary stroll through a lush garden." - Barbara Adams, Ithaca Journal

"In the Company of Dancers, a brand new movement theater piece by Rachel Lampert and Lindsay Gilmour, is accessible, fast-paced and inspiring, and is sure to please anyone with even a passing interest in the art form." - Luke Fenchel, Ithaca Times

CIRCLE MIRROR TRANSFORMATION

"Directed expertly with nary an ounce of expository fat and featuring a great cast of very expressive and talented actors and actresses, the Kitchen Theater’s production of Circle Mirror Transformation is both a hilarious and deeply affecting debut and a great start to the theater’s fall lineup." - Colin Chan, Cornell Daily Sun

"Director Norm Johnson brings this multipurpose space to life with his splendid cast and creative staging. ...Impressive ensemble acting, without a whiff of cliché, has given us five distinct individuals acknowledging who they really are and seeking who they may become." - Barbara Adams, Ithaca Journal

"The Circle Mirror Transformation arrives along with the back to school bell, and serves as a crash course on the type of A+ theater the Kitchen offers, as well as a low-key tutorial for what promises to be an entertaining and educational season. ... Audiences will likely find themselves identifying with the characters as the play mirrors the joys and frustrations of any creative workshop: Baker’s work is by turns amusing, maddening and ultimately profound." - Luke Fenchel, Ithaca Times