Abaton's blog

Abaton is pleased to present the long-awaited book/DVD set Kung Fu Kitty, written, narrated and directed by Lauri Bortz with illustrations, set designs and musical score by Marianne Nowottny, videotaped and edited by Mark Dagley, starring Abaton mascot and recording artist Frick-the-Cat.

Kung Fu Kitty is altogether unrelated to last year's major motion picture Kung Fu Panda. The former, an epic undertaking, has been in the works since 2003. It was shot on a shoestring budget in a small attic room at Abaton headquaters in Jersey City.

The story of Kung Fu Kitty is based on Exodus, though it features original Chinese characters rather than Hebrew biblical heroes. It is enacted by real felines, Frick-the-Cat and her Fuzzy Wuz She bandmate Bony, as well as Abaton newcomer Diamanda. The cats are joined by a host of inanimate furry friends--an elaborate assortment of semi-realistic stuffed monkeys--in a whimsically hand-painted set built to scale by artist/musician Stirling Krusing.

Kung Fu Kitty will appeal to folklore fans of all ages, entire families, possibly their pets too. The charming tale harkens to days of yore in China, to a mythical time and place where monkeys ruled and cats served. The story is philosophical without being morally aggrandizing and humorous without being base—though monkeys will be monkeys.

While author Lauri Bortz is best known for her critically acclaimed plays, she has been creating children’s literature for decades. Her stories were in high demand by fellow students at South Elementary School in Glencoe, Illinois. Ms. Bortz worked as a nanny throughout her teens and into her twenties, entertaining charges with homespun tales. She received multiple requests from these youngsters and their parents for a “real book.” With Kung Fu Kitty she has finally met these demands.

This book is 116 pages with 42 richly drawn pen and ink illustrations. The DVD, shot in high definition color, is 82 minutes long. The musical soundtrack is available separately on CD, as are t-shirts featuring the book's cover design. A Kung Fu Kitty doll and coloring book are currently in production. There is also a sequel, Kung Fu Kitty: Laying down the Law, in progress.