Bring your appetite to Chicago Street Theatre’s production of Edward Allan Baker’s Rosemary with Ginger for a rich two-character drama and delicious home-cooking, now through April 2.
CST is turning its upstairs Edith B. Wood Studio into a “studio diner theatre” for a special dinner-and-a-show experience. Patrons can enjoy a professionally cooked meal and be part of the world featured in the play.
Set in the closed Peter Pan Diner, Rosemary with Ginger is about two sisters who have their own personal struggles. Ginger, who has worked in the diner for two decades, asks Rosemary to help her write an entry in a contest to honor their mom. The task results in contentious arguments but the two eventually discover they retain a supportive bond.
Playing the sisters are Lisa Formosa-Parmigiano as Rosemary and Mary DeBoer as Ginger. Directing is Dona Henry.
Talking about the characters, DeBoer said Ginger is the glue that holds the family together by looking out for Rosemary, even when it exhausts her. “The audience will easily be able to relate to Ginger because we all have someone in our lives that always seems to struggle. For some reason – whether it’s the choices they make or the cards they are dealt – they can’t keep it together and they rely on others to bail them out. Ginger has been the one person Rosemary can always count on to talk her off the ledge,” said DeBoer. The production contains simulated smoking and strong language.
CST patrons have two options to see the show. For a $40 ticket, viewers will be served a home-cooked meal in the “Studio Diner Theatre” starting one hour prior to showtime. After arriving through the lobby, a host will guide audience members up to the theatre. Servers will bring dishes with three classic diner options: chicken, meatloaf, or vegetarian lasagna. The meal includes a non-alcoholic beverage and a dessert. A cash bar will also be available.
“Formosa-Parmigiano, who is also CST’s artistic director, said the diner theatre in the studio space is an example of CST’s continuous effort to create new ways of seeing live theater. “Our intimate studio allows to experiment not only with the types of shows we share but with the way we immerse the audience,” she said.
For those only wanting to see the show, tickets are $15. Tickets can be in advance at www.chicagostreet.org. Because of the dinner component, online reservations will end 24 hours prior to each performance.
“Rosemary with Ginger” will run for three more performances: Friday, March 31 – 8 pm; Saturday, April 1 – 8 pm; and Sunday, April 2 – 2:30 pm. Remember that the dinner option begins one hour before each performance.
Chicago Street Theatre is located 154 W. Chicago St. in Valparaiso.
Upcoming shows for CST’s 68th season include “Rent,” April 14-30; “Teen Fest,” May 19-21; and “Julius Caesar,” July 7-16.
Lisa Formosa-Parmigiano (left) and Mary DeBoer (right) play sisters who need each other in Chicago Street Theatre’s production of Edward Allen Baker’s Rosemary with Ginger. Photo Credit: Jeff Schultz, Marketing Chair