From the President

Fulfilling the concept of KAT is a challenging and worthwhile undertaking…and is still very much a work in progress. Finding and performing stories which ask questions and make you evaluate your assumptions about people and life are what this group was founded upon. In our 2002 musical debut, Side Show (based on a true story with music by Henry Krieger and book and lyrics by Bill Russell), we journeyed with conjoined twins through a courageous life in the twisted world of 1920s freak shows and the vacuous truth that is Hollywood stardom. 2003 brought light with Jason Robert Brown's Songs for a New World. Compelling vignettes portraying everyday people at important crossroads helped remind us of our fears and dreams. We now present Birds of Paradise, book by Winnie Holzman and David Evans and music by David Evans. The storm of emotions and jealousies engulfs an amateur theatre troupe seeking to produce an avant-garde musical version of Chekhov's The Sea Gull. KAT is very excited about what's next. We are searching for people seeking truths to contribute skills, visions, opinions. We are a community theater group looking for a community to help shape us. Unique ideas and convictions are what will make this group succeed. Thank you for taking chances on shows that have unusual voices to be heard. Let us know you are there. Join us. Craig Pettinati President and Founder Click here for more information on KAT »

Just Closed…Songs For a New World

Songs For a New World, with music and lyrics by Jason Robert Brown and conceived by Daisy Prince, closed in March to rave reviews. Congratulations go out to the fabulous cast (CJ Allyn, Wendy Baird, Steven Block, Mike Hadary, Jason Misner, Michelle Simon), director Michael Pranikoff, music director Willis Rosenfeld, choreographer Danika Ingle, and producer Jamie Blake. Thanks to everyone who pitched in behind the scenes for this production. The hard work really paid off. “Songs for a New World” is “what musical theater is all about - great singing of great songs,” and the cast is able to “capture a moment and carry an audience along with them. And they do so with an intensity approaching true passion. They take these deeply personal songs, each of which has something intrinsically dramatic to say, and make a genuinely touching scene out of each one. They belt like mad, wail, soar and, when the text calls for it, pull it all down to a passionate hush.” – Brad Hathaway Potomac Stages, local online theater guide The cast is “outstanding” and they unleash “considerable talent, their soaring voices and compelling stage presence taking the audience on an enthralling journey of self-discovery.” – Michael Toscano The Washington Post Click here to go to the Songs page on KAT Online »

Up Next…Birds of Paradise

Birds of Paradise (May 2003) Music by David Evans Lyrics by Winnie Holzman Book by David Evans, Winnie Holzman Produced by Craig Pettinati Directed by Victor Vail Music Direction by Scott Richards Choreography by Anita Anderson The Cast: Andrea Oram (Marjorie) Kevin Zarcone (Homer) Heather Andrews (Julia) Gary Sullivan (Wood) Richard Klein (Dave) Gayle Gillespie (Hope) Keith Scollick (Andy) ML George (Stella) Performances: Fridays and Saturdays: May 2, 3, 9, 10, 16, 17, 23, 24 (all at 8pm) and one Sunday matinee on May 11 at 3pm. The plot: A small town community theater welcomes back one of their former actors (now an established actor in New York City), in town for a short visit, and coerces him to direct and star in their own original musical version of Anton Chekhov's The Seagull. Birds of Paradise is a sweet story – both funny and poignant – with a terrific musical score. It's a story that will appeal to anyone who's done community theater, or anyone familiar with Chekhov's The Seagull – or anyone who's ever dreamed of being something more than they are. Click here to go to the Birds page on KAT Online »

Faces in the Crowd

Matt Anderson will be appearing in TAP's The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, running in April and May. Heather Andrews and Omar LaTiri appeared in Hexagon Theatre's Rhyme and Punishment. Heather is now working as a Marketing and PR Associate for BAPA's Imagination Stage. April Biechler is appearing in the Sandy Spring Theatre Group and Fallen Angels Productions co-produced American premiere of the British musical, Girlfriends, by Howard Goodall. Brian Campbell stage managed Amadeus at PTC, which was directed by Patti Woolsey. Both will work on KAT's Spring 2004 production, which will be announced soon. Tanya Howard is moving to Atlanta, GA to be closer to family and to begin a more enjoyable (and hopefully more lucrative) career running a bar / temple / massage parlor. We'll miss you, Tanya. Good luck and keep in touch. Tom Lane appeared in VLOC's production of The Pirates of Penzance, his third production of the G&S classic. Ahoy, matey. Jason Misner will be performing in Damascus Theatre Company's 100 Years of Broadway musical review in April. Craig Pettinati, our president, is directing Evita for Montgomery Playhouse. Several KAT members will once again endure Craig's wrath. These masochists include Diego Prieto (Che Guevera), Christopher Furry (Magaldi), and ensemble members Doe B. Kim, Tom Lane, Pavel Pivonka, Cynthia Russell, Tricia Weiler, Nora Zanger, and Kevin Zarcone. Diego Prieto also portrayed Roger Sherman (Congressman from Connecticut) in 1776 at Derby Dinner Theater in the Louisville, KY area back in Feb/March. He came back because he missed Craig so much. Tricia Weiler will be appearing in the St. Mark's Players' production of The Sound of Music in May.

Kitty Litter The deadline for submissions for the June issue of the KAT's Meow is May 15th. Please send articles, pictures, things you're doing, random PayPal money to me via e-mail.

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KAT's Meow Staff KAT Board (Content Providers) Kirk Andersen (Article Gatherer) Doe B. Kim (Editor in Chief)