Feast

Devised and performed by

Albany Park Theater project

Directed by David Feiner,

Mikhail Fiksel, Halena Kays,

Stephanie Paul, Maggie Popadiak

and Rosanna Rodriguez Sanchez

At the Goodman Theatre’s Owen Stage, Chicago

Impressive teen performance art tells of immigrant food interests

The Albany Park Theater Project (APTP), revives their performance art show Feast from 2010, which tells of food cultures in various immigrant groups that reflect APTP’s teenage membership. This show is devised by the 25 teen members to reflect on ethnic food themes. This unique work contains loads of creative movements that keep things moving on the runway stage. With fast-paced unison hand clapping and foot-stomping, we see an assortment of skits depicting immigrant interests in all things ‘food.’

In the 85 minute one act, we hear monologues, comedy skits, and group ethnic stories complete with sound effects, as in the Filipino story of how a man raised a cow. Two shy teens flirt by exchanging candy treats; LINK (food stamps) cause a little girl to fill out the application while another speaks of the joy of shopping at Aldi with the card. Another speaks of the embarrassment of using the Link card at Aldi’s when she wishes her mother shopped at Jewel.

There is another skit with 10 girls playing  “sugar and spice” dolls from around the world as the role of women cooking and running households is darkly explored. The boys do a bit about a Lebanese immigrant butcher carving lamb with a thrilling knife rhythmic cutting sequence.

These teens (age 13 to 18) do put on a show that contains humor, pathos, truthfulness, and ethnic humanity. The showmanship and craft exhibited is to be admired. APTP proves that not all urban teens are gang bangers – many use their talents and energy for positive creative endeavors. These teens will impress you.

Recommended

Tom Williams

Talk Theatre in Chicago podcast

Date Reviewed: July 27, 2015

For more info checkout the Feast page at theatreinchicago.com

At the Goodman Theatre’s Owen Stage, 170 N. Dearborn, Chicago, IL, call (312) 443-3800; www.goodmantheatre.org, tickets are $10-$25,  Thursdays at 7;30 pm, Friday & Saturdays at 8 pm, sundays at 2 pm, running time is 85 minutes without intermission, through August 16, 2015