Set in a intimate kitchen of a New York City restaurant, this new comedy from writer Theresa Rebeck ("Berhardt/Hamlet") asks us to consider where art ends and commerce begins. More…
From the show:
Brilliant, hot-headed chef Harry scores a mention in a food magazine with his signature scallops, and his business partner Mike finally sees profits within reach. The only problem, Harry refuses to recreate his masterpiece for the masses. Mix in a shrewd restaurant consultant and a waiter with dreams of his own and it all goes to hell in this hilarious and insightful new play that asks us to consider where art ends and commerce begins. Audiences will be up close to the action of as MCC’s flexible Frankel Theater is transformed into the intimate kitchen of a New York City restaurant.
See it if Entertaining melodramatic sitcom with many funny moments. Great staging/set. Charismatic actors ham up their flamboyant characters.
Don't see it if The conflict with the insufferable genius chef gets repetitive. Needs more depth rather than volume. Ending is cute but contrived.
See it if u don't mind watching insufferable people shout at each other for 2+ hrs in a well-staged & acted, amusing but insubstantial kitchen dramedy
Don't see it if u expect a searing debate on culinary art vs. commerce. [You'll get plenty of shouting on the topic, but I wouldn't call any of it "debate"]
See it if Esparza's red hot performance as an insufferable chef on the brink of 'celebrity' nearly engulfs an equally intense ensemble Taut A+ staging
Don't see it if Rebeck's able craftsmanship is better than usual in tale of art vs commerce or more importantly 'genius' vs talented 2nd act payoff shines
See it if you are interested in the realistic presentation of life in a restaurant kitchen. The actors do a good job. The set is detailed & practical
Don't see it if excellently presented reality fails to be enough for a theater to offer.
See it if Incredible staging! I've never seen anything like it. Extensive cooking onstage. Great set.
Don't see it if By the second half of the show I was just so sick of Harry. Yes, he is supposed to be annoying but his behavior became repetitive & boring
Also story really not that interesting. The cooking, beautiful set keep one... Read more Read less
See it if you like dramas that deal with two people that are polar opposite‘s but still want the same goal
Don't see it if You are bothered by lots of loud arguments on stage and a whiny entitled character
Also This play really hits home for me. I don’t know much and I don’t claim... Read more Read less
See it if you like great writing and acting on an amazing set.Absolutely hilarious. Kept my interest from beginning to end.Also made me hungry.
Don't see it if you want an ending that has more answers than questions.Left me with a lot to think about.
See it if Raul Esparza as a chef is not to be missed. Terrific, engaging show. I had a smile on my face from the start. Foodies will love this.
Don't see it if If the back-kitchen doings of a restaurant hold no interest for you.
See it if you enjoy a look into a hypothetical restaurant kitchen run by a chef on the edge of stardom
Don't see it if suspending your disbelief is difficult
See it if You enjoy unusual characters, if you lije looking at the different sides of a business and the different personalities which may be involved
Don't see it if If you are not interested in restaurant business issues; if you prefer regular characters and easy going personalities.
See it if you are a fan of Raul Esparza, Krysta Rodriguez, or Theresa Rebeck. Lots of laughs and great dialogue and a fun visit to the theater.
Don't see it if you don’t need another “man entitled beyond belief” play. The protagonist is less repulsive than Linda Vista’s jerk, but that’s a low bar.
Also There’s an entire sequence sans dialogue in which Esparza cooks onstag... Read more Read less
See it if You like Raul who is wonderful. Krysta also excellent. Well directed. Entertaining.
Don't see it if You want character development. These are one dimensional. Story kinda thin, silly, repetitious. But you will not be bored. However ...
Also not Rebeck’s finest.
See it if a theatre-loving Food Network junkie; you’ll appreciate “artistry” and “creativity” at odds with fiscal responsibility and reason storyline.
Don't see it if you dislike long intervals of watching people cook, prepare plates, or eat that extend an engaging yet not overly-complicated or fresh tale.
Also Seared offers a savory aroma of what it’s like in a professional kitch... Read more Read less
See it if you like workplace conflict, emotional outbursts, clash of values, moral issues, superb acting, good production values & realistic dialog.
Don't see it if you dislike screaming, needed editing, behavior, at times, that seems not to ring true for a character & a bit of unrealism.
See it if 1 oz talent cooked with 1 lb of ego under high pressure is a volatile pot of toxic masculinity. Entertaining but this recipe is over done.
Don't see it if Another angry, cocky white man yelling most of the time, with hubris leading to his downfall. Overused archetype / story.
Also Diversity: yet another story centered around an egomaniac white man. B... Read more Read less
See it if you love Esparza (and who doesn't?) and want to see that intensity blaze full throttle on the stage. Highly entertaining and worth a visit.
Don't see it if You think this kind of theatre is beneath you or gimmicky, or if you've had your fill of the art/commerce discussion when you saw Red.
Also Pardon my use of culinary verbiage, but I'm a cook and couldn't resist... Read more Read less
See it if you want to see 4 actors acquit themselves beautifully in the close quarters of a restaurant kitchen--with actual cooking. Absorbing.
Don't see it if you have an aversion to witnessing loud arguments. Much yelling, but always in character.
Also Versatility, thy name is Raul. Truly being alive in every role -- Bobb... Read more Read less
See it if Rebeck writes enjoyable,entertaining plays.This one involves the interactions between a temperamental chef,his co-owner,waiter,and PR agent.
Don't see it if This type of comedy is not your cup of tea.
Also The four member cast are fun to watch.Raul Esparza shines as the chef.
See it if you want to see some great performances. All 4 actors are extraordinary in this compelling story
Don't see it if you don't want to see a lot of on stage arguing. Although it fit the action of the play, it felt like there was a lot of yelling.
Also Raul Esparza again shows off his incredible acting chops and is matche... Read more Read less
See it if you're a Raul fan. Or like standard sitcom level plots and gags.
Don't see it if you don't like the smell of food cooking.
See it if This is the kitchen equivalent of a backstage drama. A dysfunctional, egoistic chef comes to terms with his limits at a bougie BK restaurant
Don't see it if You don't like small, naturalistic dramas with low stakes and flawed characters. You don't care about cooking, onstage or off.
See it if You want to see Raul portray an angry chef. Lots of yelling, little humor. Excellent supporting cast.
Don't see it if 2 hours of yelling is not your thing.
See it if fan of Esparza--he and rest of the cast are excellent. If you want to see behind the scenes at a restaurant, with lots of yelling.
Don't see it if I'm not sure what the playwright wanted to say. I didn't see growth or change. What is motivation for Krysta's character's involvement?
See it if for an engagingly intense performance by fine cast, esp. terrific Esparza; a fellow fan of Rebeck; fiery, relentess confrontations appeal.
Don't see it if frustrated by overlapping, staccato dialogue—can miss bits—or by steady tension, even in silences. Tight staging may feel claustrophobic.
Also From front row, miss seeing Esparza's panache slicing & dicing atop ki... Read more Read less
See it if you want to see real food made on stage in a set that is a real kitchen. The play has funny moments and some great performances.
Don't see it if you want to see a play that has a lot to say. The first act is basically all set up and could have easily been just 15 minutes.