Portland Civic Players cooking up “The Art of Dining”

The Portland Community Theater is busy once again as the Portland Civic Players are in rehearsals for their spring production of “The Art of Dining” by Tina Howe.

Cal and Ellen are the owners and sole staff of a new, small, elegant gourmet restaurant called the Golden Carousel. Cal’s main preoccupation is paying back the $75,000 it cost to start it up, and that means packing in the customers. Chef Ellen is preoccupied with the food quality and stopping Cal from sampling the ingredients (i.e. eating everything!). The diners in the newly opened establishment act out their own private dramas over dinner and their conversations are an exquisite burlesque of contemporary attitudes and a lesson in how not to act while dining. The set is a character all on its own and even includes a kitchen! Leading the cast are Aaron Swan as Cal and Amber Miller as Ellen. Rounding out this hilarious cast of characters are Sara Pohl, Erin Hoard, Jacob Cook, Ashley Weinbrecht-Morris, Sarah Jandernoa, Sandy Kirchinger, Amy Sperry, Pam Robinson and Leon Miller. With loads of adult humor and zaniness, this show is not recommended for a younger audience. Parental discretion is advised.

First presented Off-Broadway in 1979 “The Art of Dining” won two Obie Awards (awards specifically for off-Broadway productions). The Civic Players are excited to bring this unique, fun show to the Portland stage. Tickets are $12 each and will go on sale to PCP members on February 6 with tickets on sale to the general public on February 20 with performances scheduled for March 17, 18, 24 and 25 at 7:30 and March 26 at 2:30. Go to www.portlandcivicplayers.com for more information or follow us on Facebook. See you at the theater!