Franklin Stage Presents Mettawee River Theatre

Additional Information

On Saturday July 21 at 8pm, Franklin Stage Company is delighted to welcome back Mettawee River Theatre Company with COMMUNICATIONS FROM A COCKROACH - ARCHY & THE UNDER SIDE.  Thrillingly enacted in Mettawee's signature style with puppets of all sizes operated by actors in full view of the audience, imaginative storytelling, and live music accompaniment, this performance will take place outside under special lights on the school flat at Franklin Central School.

Although the performance begins at 8pm, audiences are invited to bring their own picnic any time from 6pm and settle down for a mesmerizing evening with this extraordinary company. As always, at FSC Admission is Free (donations gratefully accepted). For this performance, reservations are recommended only in case of rain, as the rain location is Chapel Hall where seating is limited.

First toured by Mettawee in 2001 to rave reviews, this original production is drawn from the Archy and Mehitabel sketches written by humorist and poet Don Marquis for his daily column in the New York Sun starting in 1916. The tales of Archy, a cockroach who possesses the reincarnated spirit of a free-verse poet, are a treasure of urban American folklore depicting the colorful population dwelling in the nooks and crannies of early 20th century New York City. By jumping from key to key on Marquis’ typewriter, Archy shares with us his misadventures as well as those of Mehitabel, an alley cat with the soul of Cleopatra. According to Mettawee director/designer Ralph Lee, “Although most of them have more than four legs, the characters created by Don Marquis are bursting with humor and wry observations of human nature. They took the stage by storm in our original production, and here they are again, in an expanded version of the show.”

Since 1997, FSC has presented inventive and vibrant professional renditions of classical plays and new works to a total audience in the tens of thousands. The company is proud to contribute to the growth of the arts in the Western Catskills, and continues to be supported in part by public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA), a state agency.

FSC was founded on the principle that great theatre should be available to all, and remains Admission Free, with donations gratefully accepted at the door. FSC is located in Chapel Hall at 25 Institute Street in Franklin, opposite Franklin Central School. Reservations are recommended and can be obtained by calling 607-829-3700 or via email: reserve@franklinstagecompany.org. More information about FSC's history can be obtained at www.franklinstagecompany.org.