off-leash area: Archy & Mehitabel

			ARCHY & MEHITABEL: A Vermin's Vaudeville (2001) Archy & Mehitabel: A Vermin's Vaudeville is a social satire about the struggle of the poor and underprivileged at the turn of the 20th century in Manhattan as seen through the eyes of a cockroach poet named Archy and an alley cat diva named Mehitabel. Together with the help of a gang of roaches, including an insect jazz trio, Archy & Mehitabel challenge the prevailing belief that only the beautiful and privileged get the best of it in this world.

				Based on the poetry of Don Marquis, the production is set in New York City in the early 1900's, and draws on the artistic, theatrical, and dance movements of the time, as well as the social and political issues Marquis addressed in his writing.

Living on the desktop of a small office in a dilapidated brownstone in Manhattan, each night Archy burns the midnight oil, launching himself upon the keys of a giant old manual typewriter where he creates hilarious and poignant stories about human life as seen through the eyes of a cockroach. Meanwhile Mehitabel unexpectedly drops by to visit and relay her rough and tumble adventures as a female artist continually distracted by the plaintiff cries of randy tom cats, and the incessant mewing of litter after litter of unexpected kittens.


		The entire stage is brought to life as a little shadow-box puppet stage magnified to preposterous proportions, and performed with dance numbers incorporating tap, swing, and jazz, high-speed character changes, and over a hundred transformative props to animate Marquis exquisitely melancholy and timeless protests.

	Created and Developed by Paul Herwig and Jennifer Ilse with Marc Doty. Scenic Design and Props - Paul Herwig. Musical Composition and Aural Design - Marc Doty. Cast - 11 Duration - 90 minutes