Comments on: Cookin at the Cookery http://dctheatrescene.com/2008/01/29/cookin-at-the-cookery/ DC's Liveliest Theatre Website Thu, 04 Dec 2008 18:46:21 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.2 By: cheryl http://dctheatrescene.com/2008/01/29/cookin-at-the-cookery/#comment-2759 cheryl Thu, 31 Jan 2008 13:15:59 +0000 http://dctheatrescene.com/2008/01/29/cookin-at-the-cookery/#comment-2759 Jesse- I understand and to some degree even agree with your feelings about some of these bio-musicals but this show was a whole lot more than that. There are two actors in this show and two absolutely marvelous performances. This show is a must see! Jesse- I understand and to some degree even agree with your feelings about some of these bio-musicals but this show was a whole lot more than that. There are two actors in this show and two absolutely marvelous performances. This show is a must see!

]]> By: Al Hall http://dctheatrescene.com/2008/01/29/cookin-at-the-cookery/#comment-2756 Al Hall Wed, 30 Jan 2008 21:50:47 +0000 http://dctheatrescene.com/2008/01/29/cookin-at-the-cookery/#comment-2756 I saw "Cookin' at the Cookery on Sunday evening before a packed theater. It was absolutely outstanding! The acting, music, and the way in which performers related to the audience were all remarkable. What a blessing to know that such fine production is available for theater goers right here in Alexandria! I would like to compliment Marion J. Caffey and Danny Holgate for making this work of art possible. I believe that everyone who attended the performance could find something positive to say about what they saw at Metro Stage Sunday evening. Thanks to the Bennett College Alumnae Chapter for bringing this entertaining and educational performance citizens from both side of the Potomoc River! Attendees are likely to be forever grateful! Al Hall, Poet I saw “Cookin’ at the Cookery on Sunday evening before a packed theater. It was absolutely outstanding! The acting, music, and the way in which performers related to the audience were all remarkable.

What a blessing to know that such fine production is available for theater goers right here in Alexandria! I would like to compliment Marion J. Caffey and Danny Holgate for making this work of art possible. I believe that everyone who attended the performance could find something positive to say about what they saw at Metro Stage Sunday evening.

Thanks to the Bennett College Alumnae Chapter for bringing this entertaining and educational performance citizens from both side of the Potomoc River! Attendees are likely to be forever grateful!

Al Hall, Poet

]]> By: Carolyn http://dctheatrescene.com/2008/01/29/cookin-at-the-cookery/#comment-2754 Carolyn Wed, 30 Jan 2008 19:33:56 +0000 http://dctheatrescene.com/2008/01/29/cookin-at-the-cookery/#comment-2754 I would suggest that Jesse come see Cookin' before making such a strong judgement about a piece of theatre. Cookin' refers to Alberta Hunter's remarkable comeback as a blues singer at the age of 82 at the Cookery in Greenwich Village. (We are actually getting many audience members who tell us that they saw her perform at the Cookery and there is an excellent documentary My Castle's Rockin' about her life.) Alberta Hunter has a remarkable story to tell: born in 1895, leaving Memphis for Chicago at the age of 15, perfoming throughout Europe, on the stage in London and on Broadway, etc etc etc.This is a story that is a valuable piece of our history both cultural, theatrical and musical, so I am very sorry you are not going to see it. With actors with Broadway credits and a show that has received awards and recognition across the country and Canada, it is an exciting evening at the theatre---as we like to say-- entertaining, enriching and enlightening! Carolyn Griffin Producing Artistic Director I would suggest that Jesse come see Cookin’ before making such a strong judgement about a piece of theatre. Cookin’ refers to Alberta Hunter’s remarkable comeback as a blues singer at the age of 82 at the Cookery in Greenwich Village. (We are actually getting many audience members who tell us that they saw her perform at the Cookery and there is an excellent documentary My Castle’s Rockin’ about her life.) Alberta Hunter has a remarkable story to tell: born in 1895, leaving Memphis for Chicago at the age of 15, perfoming throughout Europe, on the stage in London and on Broadway, etc etc etc.This is a story that is a valuable piece of our history both cultural, theatrical and musical, so I am very sorry you are not going to see it. With actors with Broadway credits and a show that has received awards and recognition across the country and Canada, it is an exciting evening at the theatre—as we like to say– entertaining, enriching and enlightening!

Carolyn Griffin
Producing Artistic Director

]]> By: Jesse http://dctheatrescene.com/2008/01/29/cookin-at-the-cookery/#comment-2753 Jesse Wed, 30 Jan 2008 19:13:40 +0000 http://dctheatrescene.com/2008/01/29/cookin-at-the-cookery/#comment-2753 From the stellar review, this sounds like a well executed piece, so pardon what I'm about to say. I'm, frankly, a little worn-out, confused and perhaps even apprehensive about this recent in-flux of Comfort-Food bio-musicals. It's like the easy, low-fat version of theatre. Slap a band together, get some woman emulating a late jazz great, set it in a cozy shack that serves food, bake for 90 minutes, and voila...a chestnut! What's next...Sizzling at the Sizzlers? What kind of name is Cookin' at the Cookery, anyway? Sounds safe to me. Very safe. I suppose people are entitled for an easy night out at the theater, and there can be a lot of talent in these productions, but I'm afraid we've stumbled upon the TV Dinners of theatre... quick and easy fare. I hope we don't see too many of these in the DC theatre season. From the stellar review, this sounds like a well executed piece, so pardon what I’m about to say.

I’m, frankly, a little worn-out, confused and perhaps even apprehensive about this recent in-flux of Comfort-Food bio-musicals. It’s like the easy, low-fat version of theatre. Slap a band together, get some woman emulating a late jazz great, set it in a cozy shack that serves food, bake for 90 minutes, and voila…a chestnut!

What’s next…Sizzling at the Sizzlers? What kind of name is Cookin’ at the Cookery, anyway? Sounds safe to me. Very safe.

I suppose people are entitled for an easy night out at the theater, and there can be a lot of talent in these productions, but I’m afraid we’ve stumbled upon the TV Dinners of theatre… quick and easy fare.

I hope we don’t see too many of these in the DC theatre season.

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