“Food Stories,” Word for Word’s latest literary dramatization at Z Space (the former Theatre Artaud), captures a wealth of events and experiences connected to food. Its producers have set the goal of creating not just a theatrical performance but an enveloping experience.
On a Saturday night, attendees might tour the theatre lobby while nibbling some gourmet onigilly (a triangle shaped, seaweed wrapped Japanese finger food) purchased from a food stand by the lobby bar. They might walk by the slideshow of a food quiz explaining the meaning of “organic,” or pause by a large photograph of shrimp displayed as part of the lobby’s gallery show, “Taking Stock” by Leah Rosenberg and Emily Heller. During intermission, they might enjoy some free ice cream from the Bi-Rite creamery while browsing a cookbook written by Word for Word’s Charter Group. And depending on the night, they may also enjoy a preshow class on chocolate, or a postshow conversation with author T.C. Boyle.
This diversity of attractions, which imbues the lobby with the vivacity of a fairgrounds instead of the anticipation of a parlor, is part of Word for Word’s goal to provide audiences with more comprehensive and unique experiences. Though uncommon, this format is not new, and JoAnne Winter, coartistic director of Word for Word, has long been inspired by Théâtre du Soleil, a Parisian theatre troupe practiced at creating theatrical experiences beyond the stage. But time and staff are sparse. Most of these attractions were beyond the company’s means until Ulla Havenga, special events coordinator, joined the team. Havenga secured donations from Rainbow Grocery, Bi-Rite and a major supermarket that wishes to remain anonymous, but the outreach and coordination process took time. And there were a few other surprises along the way. Havenga contacted Off the Grid and La Cocina, groups actively involved with networks of food vendors such as food carts and trucks, but Z Space’s over 200-seat theatre and approximately two-hour window of opportunity for selling food proved too meager to tempt many food trucks, who are used to catering to larger crowds for longer time.
It’s hard to say whether this blend of performance and special events will survive to Word for Word’s next production. “This one was kind of a perfect storm,” Winter says of the unusual confluence of available staff, time and resources. “We can’t count on that for every show.” Kathleen Brennan, who curated the food-art on display in the lobby gallery, says that artists Rosenberg and Heller were enthusiastic about participating, and, in fact, they decided to collaborate for the show after Brennan introduced them. It’s encouraging to see artists embrace new possibilities, but much depends on the responses from audiences, the food cart vendors, the speakers and the teachers offering pre-show chocolate classes. Theatre comes from and creates community, and if this new arm of that community is to thrive, its constituents must want it to stay.
“Food Stories” runs until February 5. Ticket prices range from $30 - $40. To view the calendar of special events, go to zspace.org and click on the “Food Stories” poster.
Cristóbal McKinney is an obsessive-compulsive writer and arts reviewer, and is a proud San Francisco native. He is a regular contributor to ZYZZYVA's blog. E-mail him at criswrites@gmail.com.
