Name: Mutts Gone Nuts Featuring Hilby at The State Theatre of Ithaca
Start: 2026-02-20T19:00:00-05:00
Location: State Theatre of Ithaca

Mutts Gone Nuts Featuring Hilby at The State Theatre of Ithaca

The State Theatre of Ithaca Presents:
Mutts Gone Nuts
Featuring HILBY!
Friday, February 20th, 2026
Doors: 6pm, Show: 7pm
Sponsored by Visit Ithaca
🎟️ Tickets go on sale Wednesday, 11/12 -> https://tixr.com/e/164608 🎟️
Mutts Gone Nuts
Since 1985, comedy duo Scott and Joan Houghton have brought their unique blend of physical comedy and circus arts to audiences from Las Vegas to Tokyo. They spent three years with country star Lee Greenwood at his theater in Tennessee and seven years as the featured comedy act at Dolly Parton’s Theaters in Branson, Orlando and Myrtle Beach.
In 2005, the duo turned their attention to a creating a comedy dog act. Their nine amazing canine partners are all adopted from animal shelters and rescues. Mutts Gone Nuts is sure to unleash havoc and hilarity as the Houghtons attempt to match wits with their mischievous mutts in a family-friendly performance that is leaving audiences howling for more!
Mutts Gone Nuts Mission & Assurances: Our show's dogs were adopted from animal shelters or from rescue groups. We use all positive, reward-based training methods, which means: We reward and reinforce the behaviors that we want (with treats, toys, praise) and we ignore the behaviors we don't want. We look for what our dogs like to do naturally, and cultivate those talents.‍
Living Conditions for our dogs: Our dogs travel in large, padded, climate controlled kennels for their safety when on tour. They have 2 acres of fenced area to run when at home. All of our dogs live indoors and are never kept outside in kennels, and are USDA APHIS (Animal Welfare) registered.
Hilby
“Rivetingly Absurd” quotes the New York Times.
One cannot help but be charmed by his impeccable timing and extreme circus skills. You can find Hilby on top of Unicycles of all shapes and sizes, manipulating objects ranging from bowling balls to hedge trimmers. A powerful and spellbinding collage of superb technical skill and wacky comedy in the tradition of vaudeville. If you have seen him before, you know he is not to be missed. One of the most sought after performers at venues around the world.
Performing at theaters, colleges, cruise ships, and fair grounds, from Canada to Australia, Hilby brings his highly professional and excruciatingly funny show to young and old alike. Book Hilby for your next event, contact us today to learn more!