ITHACA, N.Y.: The Kitchen Theatre Company has announced its 2020-21 season, which will feature 20 hybrid and online events and culminate in a world premiere live production in June 2021. This season, called The Journey to 30: A Celebration of KTC’s Past, Present, and Future, will be offered in four “acts” as a lead up to the theatre’s 30th anniversary season.
“This season is so incredibly rich with great stories,” said interim artistic director David Winitsky in a statement. “The amazing 30-year story of the Kitchen Theatre itself; the vital stories of Americans of color, shared with the best actors, directors, and playwrights of color; and the future story of the American theatre itself in two outstanding new plays. And best of all—I am bursting with excitement to fully return to the (outdoor) stage with Kara-Lynn Vaeni’s hilarious and moving story of strength and transformation, SHAPE . I can’t imagine a better pandemic season, and I can’t wait for our audiences to take The Journey to 30 with us.”
The season’s first act will begin with a special event, holiday party Match Game (Dec. 16-17), a recreation of the hit game show featuring local celebrities.
Next up will be a streamed production of Cry It Out (Jan 14-21, 2021), by Molly Smith Metzler, about two mothers who form an unlikely friendship through naptime coffee dates and the new mother who arrives and puts their concept of motherhood to the test. Erica Steinhagen stars, and M. Bevin O’Gara directs.
Following will be two Script Club conversations, the first about Lynn Nottage’s Sweat (Jan. 21, 2021) and the second about Whitelisted (Feb. 4, 2021), by Chisa Hutchinson. The first discussion will be led by actor Alvin Keith and the second by Hutchinson with actor Kate MacCluggage.
The season’s second act begins with the streamed production of Every Brilliant Thing (Feb. 18-25, 2021), by Duncan MacMillan and Jonny Donahoe. Wendy Dann will direct this play about a young boy who attempts to ease his mother’s depression by creating a list of the best things in the world.
Next up will be another Script Club, with this one focusing on Lauren Yee‘s The Great Leap (March 4, 2021), hosted by actor Francis Jue.
A new play workshop of Hong Kong playwright Stefani Kuo’s Final Boarding Call (March 8-19, 2021) will follow. Kuo brings the stories of Hong Kong to life through seven interconnected characters.
The third act of the season begins with the streamed production of The Roommate (April 1-8, 2021), by Jen Silverman, about a divorcée who takes up a mysterious new roommate.
Following will be the Script Club discussion of Qui Ngyuen’s Vietgone (April 15, 2021), hosted by Theatreworks Silicon Valley’s Jeffrey Lo.
The third act wraps up with a yet to be announced new play workshop (April 19-30, 2021) and KTC’s Lip Sink fundraiser.
The final act for KTC’s 2020-21 season begins with the streamed production of Bloom Where You’re Planted…A 20 Year Artistic Journey (May 13-20, 2021), produced by artistic director emerita Rachel Lampert, which tells the story of KTC through archival video, photos, and interviews.
Next will be a Script Club about Jackie Sibbles Drury’s Fairview (June 15, 2021).
The season will conclude with the world premiere live production of Shape (June 6-28, 2021), written and directed by Kara-Lynn Vaeni, which takes a fresh look at conversions about how people relate to their bodies and what they’re capable of accomplishing.
Founded in 1991, Kitchen Theatre Company creates community-engaging theatre in intimate spaces.
