The Rowan Lab Theatre brought Noah Haidle’s productions of “Kitty Kitty Kitty” to Bunce Hall. Directed by Rowan University Senior Jeszenee Turner, the play explores themes of love, rejection, loneliness, and identity through dark humor and unusual situations.
The production placed the audience close to the action, making the experience feel immersive. With the small stage and simple set, viewers were able to watch the characters’ emotions unfold up close and feel like part of the story.
The cast and crew worked hard to put together this show. While a perfect run is always the goal, that’s not always what matters most.
“There are so many moving pieces between props, costumes, and cues, but as long as people enjoyed the show, it was worth it,” said Quinn Holloway, a Rowan sophomore who worked as a stage manager for the show.
The story follows the main character, Kitty, a cat imprisoned in a laboratory by a scientist experimenting with cloning. The scientist creates a clone named Kitty Kitty, giving Kitty his first real sense of companionship.
As the two spend time together, they begin to fall in love. They soon come to realize that their love is forbidden.
Things take a turn when Kitty Kitty is adopted by a couple and taken away from the lab. Kitty is left alone again and struggles with the sudden loss.
Eventually, Kitty escapes the lab to search for Kitty Kitty. When he finds him again, he realizes that his love is one-sided. This rejection leaves Kitty feeling isolated and hopeless.
He begins to question whether life is worth continuing. During this time, Kitty meets another cat named Morris. Morris suggests to Kitty that creating more clones can help fill the void he is feeling and cope with his loneliness.
From there, the play moves into a series of chaotic and humorous moments as more clones of Kitty appear. Each version of Kitty adds to the confusion while also highlighting his growing desperation.
The theme of unrequited love can resonate with many people. Aside from the humorous elements of the play, the story uses Kitty’s experience to show how rejection and loneliness can deeply affect someone.
“I felt like the role reflected my own experience of being in love with someone who doesn’t feel the same way,” said Iszzy Dixon, who played the role of Kitty.
Dixon was originally the understudy, but had to step in for the last few shows after the main character fell sick.
“It was an incredible feat, but I managed to pull it off,” said Dixon.
The cast was able to work together perfectly, and they all embraced the quirkiness of the show.
“The show is definitely unique, and I’m glad the cast was willing to get weird with it,” said Holloway
Attendees came into the show with one expectation, and left with a completely different experience than what they expected.
“I thought it would be really dark and morbid, but I liked that they found a way to bring some humor into such heavy topics,” said Bianca Pottinger, whose daughter played one of Kitty’s clones in the show.
The cast’s delivery carried the story’s message beyond the stage. The performance left a lasting impact on viewers.
“The audience comprehended the significance of losing all the things or people that they loved,” said Dixon.
The production left audiences with both laughter and reflection. Through humor and emotional moments, the play shows that even the strangest stories can still feel relatable.
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