by Becky
Walking into a theater is always exciting to me. An expectation of what the director has brewed up and how much I will like the show. This time I walked in and it smelled like food. Food? I got paranoid because I had just eaten the greasiest cheeseburger in Chicago. But no, it wasn't me. It was just the smell of food. A smell that soon transformed into a story.
This story you can see at:
The Owen Stage
at the Goodman Theatre in Chicago.
***Sidenote: I do not believe in reviewing a show and forming an opinion for you. That, you must do on your own. However this group of letters, words, and sentences serves as an invitation for you to see The Cook at The Owen, directed by Henry Godinez. And, please look out for these interesting points.(end note)
The Cook is about a woman living in Cuba in 1958, working as a cook for a wealthy government family. Upon the revolution, the family leaves Cuba and heads for Miami, leaving the house under the care of Gladys, the cook. Gladys waits for her return, always being loyal to Adria, her "master" and "friend."
The story plays with time: setting the clocks back at New Year's, aging but not letting go of the past, political times in Cuban history... Batista... Castro...
Food. Food is an important part of any culture, and Gladys finds comfort in perfecting her recepies, and in that way, maintaining her identity as a strong, proud, Cuban woman amidst all that is changing around her.
Betrayal. Betrayal of friends, family, heritage, the people...
As you see this show, ask yourself: What does the House and the kitchen mean to Gladys? To her husband? To Adria, her master?
How do you identify food with each of the characters? Do they eat it? Make it? Serve it? What does that say about them?
And... If you just don't feel like thinking and want to enjoy a show that brings up many important issues (not just for Cuba but for everyone)
GO SEE IT FOR YOURSELF.
LATER!
Walking into a theater is always exciting to me. An expectation of what the director has brewed up and how much I will like the show. This time I walked in and it smelled like food. Food? I got paranoid because I had just eaten the greasiest cheeseburger in Chicago. But no, it wasn't me. It was just the smell of food. A smell that soon transformed into a story.
This story you can see at:
The Owen Stage
at the Goodman Theatre in Chicago.
***Sidenote: I do not believe in reviewing a show and forming an opinion for you. That, you must do on your own. However this group of letters, words, and sentences serves as an invitation for you to see The Cook at The Owen, directed by Henry Godinez. And, please look out for these interesting points.(end note)
The Cook is about a woman living in Cuba in 1958, working as a cook for a wealthy government family. Upon the revolution, the family leaves Cuba and heads for Miami, leaving the house under the care of Gladys, the cook. Gladys waits for her return, always being loyal to Adria, her "master" and "friend."
The story plays with time: setting the clocks back at New Year's, aging but not letting go of the past, political times in Cuban history... Batista... Castro...
Food. Food is an important part of any culture, and Gladys finds comfort in perfecting her recepies, and in that way, maintaining her identity as a strong, proud, Cuban woman amidst all that is changing around her.
Betrayal. Betrayal of friends, family, heritage, the people...
As you see this show, ask yourself: What does the House and the kitchen mean to Gladys? To her husband? To Adria, her master?
How do you identify food with each of the characters? Do they eat it? Make it? Serve it? What does that say about them?
And... If you just don't feel like thinking and want to enjoy a show that brings up many important issues (not just for Cuba but for everyone)
GO SEE IT FOR YOURSELF.
LATER!
