Dana Smith-Croll, George Salazar, and Marilyn Sokol in Raging Skillet. Photo by Lanny Nagler.
by Mark G. Auerbach
TheaterWorks ends its stellar season with the world premiere of Hartford playwright Jacques Lamarre’s stage adaptation of foodie TV star Chef Rossi’s autobiography Raging Skillet. He’s a combination arts administrator and event planner who has written some prime comedy, from I Loved, I Lost, I Made Spaghetti, which has been produced nationally since its TheaterWorks premiere; to a playlet for TheaterWorks’ annual laugh-a-thon, Christmas on The Rocks, and shows, films and videos for Varla Jean Merman, the drag entertainer who says she’s the love child of Ethel Merman and Ernest Borgnine..
Chef Rossi, known as New York’s #1 punk-rock caterer, was a rebellious teen, an out Jewish lesbian, when she was sent to live with Orthodox Jewish relatives. She developed an out-of-the-box cooking style, an independent spirit, and a creative edge that has made her popular as a caterer, chef, and media personality. Lamarre adapted her memoir for the stage, infusing it, as the food writers might say, great characters, ingredients, a dash of humor and pathos, and a delicious presentation.
Dana Smith-Croll in Raging Skillet. Photo by Lanny Nagler.
Lamarre’s script, set at a reading/book signing and food demo coordinated by Rossi to launch her memoir. The event takes a turn with the arrival of Rossi’s deceased mother. To aid in telling her story, a character DJ Skillit is her sous chef, mix-tape man, and plays a group of men and women that Rossi meets on her journey. George Salazar gives a great performance as DJ and provides a lot of the levity and glue that elevates Lamarre’s play from extended comedy sketch to a more substantial theatre piece. But, Raging Skillet is the story of a stereotypical Jewish mother, played by Marilyn Sokol, and a rebellious daughter, played by Dana Smith-Croll, both often at odds and seldom in synch.
The mother-daughter relationship is complex, and Lamarre has written the character of Mom with a lot of schtick. It’s not until late in the play that Rossi peruses a scrap book left behind by the mother, a series of beautifully written moments that give Raging Skillet its depth and soul. The moments are breif, and Raging Skillet returns for the laughs.
Marilyn Sokol in Raging Skillet. Photo by Lanny Nagler.
John Simpkins staging is terrific, and there’s lots of audience engagement, some real cooking onstage, and some food samples passed around to the audience. Michael Schweikardt’s set design is terrific, as are Blair Gulledge ‘s costumes, John Lasiter’s lighting, and Julian Evans’ sound. Kudos to Evans for combining an era-appropriate music track and sound effects.
Dana Smith-Croll is great as Chef Rossi; Marilyn Sokol plays for the laughs as her Mom.
The ingredients are there in Raging Skillet for an entertaining theatre piece. Lamarre and Simpkins are good chefs. With some tweaking, and shtick-pruning, and maybe a bit more of the type of moments the audience gets when the Mom’s scrapbook is revealed, Raging Skillet could be stronger.
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TheaterWorks presents Raging Skillet: The True-Life Adventures of a Punk Rock Caterer by Jacques Lamarre. Directed by John Simpkins. Scenic design by .Michael Schweikardt Costume design by Blair Gulledge . Lighting design by John Lasiter.. Sound design by Julian Evans .Cast: Dana Smith-Croll as Chef Rossi, Marilyn Sokol as Mom; George Salazar as DJ Skillit. Through August 27. TheaterWorks, 233 Pearl Street, Hartford, CT. For tickets: 860-527-7838 or www.theaterworkshartford.org
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Mark G. Auerbach studied theatre at American University and the Yale School of Drama. He’s worked for arts organizations and reported on theatre for newspapers and radio. Mark produces and hosts ArtsBeat Radio on 89.5fm/WSKB Radio.
