KTC’s World Premiere Play Call Me Waldo Opens 1/21

Start the New Year with a transcendental twist with the Kitchen Theatre Company's world premiere comedy Call Me Waldo, with previews on January 18, 19, and 20. Opening Night is January 21. It runs for three weeks, closing on February 5, 2012.

Everyone's mid-life ennui rises to the surface in a different way.  Some people get divorced, some buy a sports car or a boat, some change jobs and try to start fresh.  Not many start to channel the great American poet and essayist Ralph Waldo Emerson, but that is exactly what happens to electrician's assistant Lee Fountain in Rob Ackerman's new play Call Me Waldo.  Lee is usually a low-key guy, a member of the crew who doesn't make waves.  So when he starts spouting poetry on the job site, his irascible boss, Gus, is sure he's witnessing a breakdown.  Mix into this situation Lee's wife Sarah, a no-nonsense nurse, and her friend Cynthia, a doctor ready to advise, and soon everyone is on the path to figure out Lee's behavior and, unintentionally, figure out much about themselves.   This is a modern love story that celebrates the workingman, the power of words, and the joy and pain of transformation.  Like a film by Woody Allen, Call Me Waldo explores what happens when we get under each other's skins and does it with humor and heart.

Continuing the tradition of bold, intimate, and engaging works, the Kitchen is proud to host the world premiere of Call Me Waldo.  The play comes to KTC from the Lark Play Development Center in New York City, and immediately after our closingwill have its Off-Broadway premiere at the Working Theater in NYC.  Artistic Director Rachel Lampert says, "This play is terrifically appealing. The characters are fun, and they echo all of our hopes to live full and significant lives. It is a comedy with characters we don't always get to know. I love that the guys are electricians and that we are brought so authentically into their world. And, of course, spending time with the words of Emerson is delightful."  Author Rob Ackerman adds,  "Call Me Waldo is a play about a guy who falls in love with Emerson's idealism and how he shakes up those around him and forces them to question everything."

Up from NYC is Kitchen Theatre veteran director Margarett Perry* (At the Kitchen: Private Lives, STRANGERHORSE, A Marriage Minuet, The Two of You, A Play On Words among others).  Her cast includes three actors well known to the Kitchen and one newcomer.

Matthew Boston appeared at the Kitchen with Rita Rehn and Brian Dysktra in A Marriage Minuet and also in Dykstra's STRANGERHORSE and The Two Of You.  Brian Dyktsra was last seen at the Kitchen in Noël Coward's Private Lives and has performed here in many of his own plays, including Clean Alternatives, The Jesus Factor, Ho!, and A Play On Words.  New to the Kitchen is Jennifer Dorr White, a regular on the Onion News Network, who completes the cast.  All four members of the cast are members of Actors' Equity. 

David Arsenault (Kitchen credits: Mary's Wedding and The Brothers Size) is the Set & Lighting Designer for Call Me Waldo. The Sound Design is by Don Tindall (Kitchen credits: STRANGERHORSE, Old Times). Hannah Kochman is the Costume 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 Ithaca's West End neighborhood, just three blocks from The Commons.

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.