The Golden Truffle

Candybox theater

In "Food as Theater," I mentioned "The Golden Truffle." We went to see it yesterday.

Redmoon Theatre's first musical creates a wacky parody reality show in which five half-baked celebrities vie to be chosen to taste a magical golden truffle in an absurdist, vaudevillian contest a la "American Idol." For the occasion, Redmoon Central has been transformed into a baroque cabaret complete with table seating, drinks service, and, of course, Redmoon's endlessly inventive contraptions.

While the antics of the "Cabaret"-esque emcee, spoiled child star, lame comedian, narcissistic leading man, Continental torch singer and Kant-spouting chimpanzee ventriloquist proceed on stage, a crazy chef, his lovesick daughter and a crew of madcap waiters career around the house, serving a quartet of Vosges Haut-Chocolat exotic truffles to each audience member.

It stretches a trifle long, I think -- the concept merits only three truffles -- and ends on, perhaps, too high-toned a note, but the cast has talent, the environs is quirky and it's a fun, deliciously silly evening out.

The truffles, worth $9.50 in the Vosges catalog, are included with the ticket price. Drinks are extra (the cash bar opens half an hour before showtime with performers wandering about improvising, so you might want to go early). Shows run through June 18.

Redmoon Central
1463 W. Hubbard St., Chicago
www.redmoon.org/TheGoldenTruffle/General_Info.htm
312-850-8440 x111

Note: I bought advance discount tickets through Goldstar Events and they may have some dates left. (I've been on their mailing list awhile; these were the first tix I bought through them, and it worked out fairly well). You may also be able to score day-of-show half-price seats through Hot Tix.

Dining nearby: We had an excellent parillada at Buenos Aires Forever beforehand, but nearer pre-theater options include Burger Baron, Oggi Trattoria, Bella Notte and El Paraiso on Grand Avenue.