Foodie Theater: 'An Empty Plate in the Cafe du Grand Boeuf'

An Empty Plate in the Cafe du Grand Boeuf
by Michael Hollinger
directed by Lauren Golanty
opening Saturday, November 6 at 8pm
at The Viaduct, 3111 N. Western

An Empty Plate... is a glorious feast of the imagination. This warm, funny piece tells the story of the sole patron of a restaurant with no menu -- because the chef will artfully serve any dish he requires! One evening, the restaurant staff is at a loss when their guest makes a special, and final, request.

Viaduct Center
3111 North Western Avenue
Chicago, IL 60618
773-296-6024

Previews:
Nov. 5: 8 p.m.

Through Dec. 12

Fridays : 8 p.m.
Sundays : 3 p.m.
Saturdays : 8 p.m.
Thursdays : 8 p.m.

Price: $10-$15
Box office: 773-275-1931
Produced by: Appetite Theatre

Cathy2 wrote:An Empty Plate in the Cafe du Grand Boeuf

Cathy,

Thanks for the pointer, looks interesting.

Here's a link to todays Chicago Tribune Review.

The review should be up and accessible for one week from today.

Enjoy,
Gary

!Traiganme la cabeza de Alfredo Garcia

Translated:
Bring me the head of Alfredo Garcia (movie circa 1974)

Very good you must have internet access Though, give credit where credit is due, its a Sam Peckinpah cult classic (1974)

However, the I threw the comment because it was also a throw-lib uttered by Erwin R. Fletcher (Chase) in Fletch (1985) when he realized he could order anything from the country club and it would be billed to Charlie Underhill's account.

I sometimes use this line (usally after a full meal with wine) when it is obvious the waitstaff wants nothing more to do than bring you the check, yet is programmed to ask "Can I bring you anything else?".

HI,

I just returned home from An Empty Plate in the Cafe du Grand Boeuf. I walked in not the least bit hungry from a dim sum lunch. I took a nap at the beginning the play from post lunch fatigue. Since I came by myself I missed a major plot element, which I later picked up by inference. At the end of this 100-minute play, I was hungry as a bear. Even though my appetite should have been satiated at least for a couple hours more, I was triggered by the endless food discussion trying to entice someone reluctant to eat.

It's a not-so-dark comedy with some ironic twists at the end. In the director's notes he comments, "Longing is an essential part of living. Without desire, people don't have the capacity for hope. ... Appetite, well that is something different. It is hunger - with hope."

If you choose to see this play, then do come early enough to read the program notes. There are references to wines, as well as foods, which if you read after-the-fact, then you missed some nuances. (Of course drifting off the sleep is another no-no! )

My only disappointment was my hope a theater group calling itself "Appetite Theater," may have a food-oriented direction. Their first play does, the others in this first season are 'The Years' and 'Elton John's Glasses.' At least I went for THE food oriented play of their first season.

www.appetitetheatre.com