I've always been fascinated by the world of restaurant
kitchens. The Phoenix Theatre's latest show, How to Use a Knife, takes you
behind the scenes and into that frantic world. During open hours things move
fast for the chef and his crew. After the restaurant is closed we're able to
learn a bit more about the broken man running his employees so hard.
Chef George, played by Ryan Artzberger, is an addict who
has fallen from his former glory. The performance reminded me a bit of
Artzberger's turn as the cynic Simon Stimson in Our Town at the Indiana
Repertory Theatre. The character has the same tone of disillusion and disgust. Ansley
Valentine plays Steve, a quiet dishwasher with a mysterious past. He is a
tireless workers who isn't interested in small talk.
Bryan Fonseca's direction keeps the show moving at a
clipped pace, keeping the audience fully engaged. The casual banter between
coworkers feels natural and the set itself feels like an actual restaurant
kitchen, complete with a grill, working sinks, and safety signs. The tone of
the play shifts dramatically as teasing turns to talk of the Rwandan genocide.
At the show's conclusion it was impossible not to consider
how little we know about the experiences of those around us. Without talking to
them about their lives it's far too easy to dismiss them based on prejudice, assumption,
or ignorance. Whether it's incorrectly guessing someone's ethnicity or underestimating
the pain that they've experienced, there's so much to be gained from opening
the doors of conversation.
Don't Miss the Show
For more information about the Phoenix Theatre, visit
www.phoenixtheatre.org. The theater is located at 749 N. Park Ave.,
Indianapolis, just off Massachusetts Ave.
Performances: The show runs until Feb. 12 and offers four
performances a week. Thursdays begin at 7 p.m., Friday and Saturdays begin at 8
p.m. and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m.
Tickets: To purchase tickets, call (317) 635-7529 or
visit phoenixtheatre.org. Prices range from $27 to $33.
Photos courtesy of the Phoenix Theatre.
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