Central Works presents world premiere #45, Recipe, by Michael Gene Sullivan (Download PDF)
Central Works concludes the 2014 season with Recipe, a profoundly funny new work by Michael Gene Sullivan, opening with a press Night on Saturday October 18 at 8 pm and running through November 23 at the historic Berkeley City Club. Sullivan serves up the laughs in this delicious take on a circle of sweet old grandmotherly bakers, who just happen to be dedicated to the armed overthrow of the United States government. But baking pies and cakes isn’t enough to satisfy these four intrepid refugees from the sixties, and their burning desire to “Up the Revolution!” Directed by Gary Graves, Recipe is Central Works 45th world premiere and features Velina Brown* (Diane), Tamar Cohn (Ruth), Phoebe Moyer* (Lillian), Lynne Soffer* (Helen) and Jan Zvaifler (Janice), (*member AEA). It’s one thing to say “The government is probably listening to my calls,” but what do you do when you find out it’s true? If it seems that the government that you call “a fascist, surveillance state” has specifically targeted you, is specifically watching YOU (it’s not paranoia if they really are after you!), then what? How do you live your life knowing that all your fears may, actually, be true?
“I wrote this play for two reasons,” remarks Michael Gene Sullivan, “ we need more roles for women actors “of a certain age” that don’t call for them to be widows, nuns, or crazy aunts; and sometimes even the most committed revolutionaries need to remember that revolution is not a dinner party. Or in this case – a baking circle.”
An award-winning actor, director, as well as the Resident Playwright for the Tony award-winning San Francisco Mime Troupe, Michael Gene Sullivan’s plays have been performed in theaters throughout the United States. His critically acclaimed stage adaptation of George Orwell’s 1984, directed by Tim Robbins, premiered in 2006 at the Actors’ Gang, and went on to tour nationally and internationally for six years. This was the first adaptation of the novel endorsed by the Orwell Estate and published in the U.S. in 50 years.
The Central Works world premiere of Recipe is sponsored by Erica Nietfeld with foundation support from the City of Berkeley Civic Arts Program, Fleishhacker Foundatoin, RHE Foundation and the Wilder Green Fund.
