There’s so much going on regarding the stage and screen scenes in Seattle, dear hedonists, that I’m trying hard to keep up. See below for what’s happened, currently happening, and about to happen – some of the shows your Hedonista has viewed as media as of late.

May 15th-18th, 2013 featured Lily Verlaine and Jasper McCann’s 4th run of Through the Looking Glass: The Burlesque Alice In Wonderland at The Triple Door. Their holiday Land of the Sweets:The Burlesque Nutcracker show is always a hit; for spring they did their saucy version of the Lewis Carroll classic, Through the Looking-Glass. This show starred local burlesque artists Lily Verlaine, Waxie Moon, Kitten LaRue, and Miss Indigo Blue – all of whom are recognized internationally for their performances. This show was an absolute delight and a nice variation on their winter holiday show. Tickets were $30-$38.

The cast of Through the Looking Glass: The Burlesque Alice In Wonderland. Photo y Scott Butner, provided by Verlaine+McCann Presents and used with permission.

Miss it, dear hedonists? Fear not, for their next gig should be s equally appealing and entertaining: Nightcap at The Triple Door on June 8th, 2013 at 11:00 p.m. This event will feature a shake-up of both world-renowned cabaret performers as well as classic cocktails created by the owner of The Zig Zag Café, Ben Dougherty. (NOTE: The Zig Zag Café was named named the #1 Cocktail Bar in America by GQ Magazine in 2010.) Hosted by Jasper McCann as “The Sophisticated Swinger,” this naughty little nightcap night will feature: Lada Redstar (2012 London World Burlesque Crown winner), Waxie Moon (gender-blending “boylesque” performer), Sarah Sparrow (trapeze artist extraordinaire), Iva Handfull (the Queen of Kansas City Burlesque), and Lily Verlaine (“The Balanchine of Burlesque.”) Tickets for this 21-and-over event are $20.

From left to right: Fabrice Luchini, Emmanuelle Seigner and Ernst Umhauer. Image provided by CMG and used with permission.

In The House at Seven Gables Theatre – In The House opened on Friday, May 17th and wraps up tomorrow on Thursday, May 23rd. This French film is by François Ozon and is in French with English subtitles. Released by the Cohen Media Group (CMG), this film rated R and is 1 hour and 45 minutes long. Inspired by Juan Mayorga’s Spanish play, The Boy in the Last Row, In The House tells the tale of a 16-year-old boy named Claude (Ernst Umhauer) whose voyeurism and curiosity about the lives of and interactions among people in their own homes triggers inspiration for his writing class – and his teacher, Monsieur Germain (Fabrice Luchini) – with disconcerting results. (No spoilers, dear hedonists!) Also stars Kristin Scott Thomas (Madame Jeanne Germain), Emmanuelle Seigner (Esther), Denis Ménochet (Rapha Senior), and Bastien Ughetto (Rapha Junior). Tickets range in price from $8.00 to $10.50 and depend on the day of the show, the time of the show, and the age of attendees.

Spiffy SIFF t-shirts for sale for this year’s Festival 2013 – year #39. The shirts are $20.

SIFF’s 2013 Festival (#SIFF2013) – runs  May 16th through June 9th, 2013. This is the 39th year for the festival, which features approximately 450 films – of that some 200 feature-length films, 175 short films, 67 documentaries, and 8 archival films – from 85 nations around the world. Of these films, 49 are world premieres, 47 are North American premieres, and 18 are U.S. premieres. The tag line for this year’s festival is “Be curious.”

The films are categorized into no less than ten moods:

- Love
- Make Me Laugh
- Provoke Me
- Thrill Me
- Show Me The World
- Open My Eyes
- Sci-Fi And Fact
- To The Extreme
- Creative Streak
- Face The Music

Note: In order to comply with FTC Act 16 C.F.R. 255, Heed the Hedonist would like to disclose that it does receive media “comps” and/or media discounts – but not in exchange for favorable coverage, or for withholding unfavorable coverage, of the given venue/meal/performance/product/service.

Life is … fleeting. So much to do, so little time to do it all in. Thus, we prioritize. Hedonism first!

There are soooo many fabulous theatre and performance venues in Seattle and its surrounds; recently, there was Book-It‘s Adventures of Huckleberrry Finn Uncensored (April 16th-May 12th, 2013); ACT‘s world premiere of Assisted Living (April 19th-May 12th, 2013); and Seattle Shakespeare Company‘s Wooden O production brought indoors, The Taming of the Shrew with a trailer trash twist. These three plays were all brilliant in their own respective rights (your Hedonista attended as media); all of them touched on the very tenets of the human condition and its noble desires for freedom, independence, and love in the face of our selfish tendencies for control, dominance, and competition.

From left to right: Bhama Roget, Richard Nguyen Sloniker, Angela DiMarco, and Cheyenne Casebier in Boeing Boeing, 2013. Photo by Andry Laurence, provided by SRT, and used with permission.

Alas, these productions have ended their run – but it’s not too late for Marc Camoletti’s Boeing Boeing – running April 19th through today, May 19th, 2013 (at 2:00 p.m.) at the Seattle Repertory Theatre (SRT), which I recently saw as media.

Marc Camoletti – born a French citizen in Geneva, Switzerland to an Italian family – wrote some 40 plays, with Boeing Boeing his best-known work. First produced in London in 1962 at the Duchess Theatre, where it ran for seven years, this play is listed in the 1991 edition of the Guinness Book of World Records as the most-performed French play in the world.

This production – directed by Allison Narver (Romeo and Juliet and Or) and translated by Beverly Cross and Francis Evans – is both sexy and hilarious. Bernard (played by Richard Nguyen Sloniker, also in Jesus Hopped The A Train) is a die-hard bachelor engaged to not one but three women. All of the women are airline stewardesses: one American (Gloria, played by Bhama Roget) one Italian (Gabriella, played by Angela DiMarco, who was also in Jesus Hopped The A Train, Amy’s View and reasons to be pretty), and one German (Gretchen, played by Cheyenne Casebier). Bernard schedules his rendez-vous based on their flight schedules, until….

(I’m certain you get the picture, dear hedonists.)

 Tickets in general range from $15-$80, with $12 tickets for those attendees under 25 years of age (with valid ID—call for details) and discounted tickets for parties of ten or more – call 206-443-2222.

Boeing Boeing closes the Seattle Rep’s 50th Anniversary season, and goes out with a bang – coffee, tea, or … sex?

Fonté’s $18-per-pound Brasil Peabody Carmo de Minas has a nice chocolate-toned bean. This coffee is a nice sip-all-day coffee that’s perfect for spring.

Speaking of coffee, Fonté Coffee has a new blend for a limited time a new coffee: the Brasil Peaberry Carmo de Minas. I recently received a media sample of this coffee to review. The bean has a chocolate hue with a dark roast, chocolate, and nut smell. Once ground, the nuttiness – both meat and shell – comes out in the grinds. Once brewed, the coffee again has notes of roasted nuts and chocolate, the coffee is light to medium in body structure with a mild, balanced plum-like acidity. A milk chocolate sweetness plays with the dark chocolate (think cocoa, here), with a slight chalky texture on the after taste.

Say the folks at Fonté about this coffee:

“We’ve known Sergio Dias of Cannan Estate Coffees for over ten years. Sergio and his family co-own and operate JC Coffee Farms out of Carmo de Minas in Brasil’s southern state of Minas Gerias. Cannan Estate is responsible for a large part of JC Farms annual production, and has been in Sergio’s family for over 70 years. When we first met Sergio he was not exporting coffee to the US. It’s been our pleasure to watch him take the plunge in the US market, and to see his coffees gain the recognition and acceptance they certainly deserve. In addition to a handful of full container lots that Sergio now brings into the US he has recently added a few microlot offerings, some as small as 5 bags. It is from one of these unique microlots that we get our Brasil Peaberry Carmo de Minas. Our Brasil Peaberry is a pulped natural coffee, sun-dried on patios with some of the fruit left on the heavy outer skin of the seed. Typical of Brasilian coffees generally it is not grown at great altitude. In the cup Brasil Peaberry excels in displaying the flavors and mouthfeel characteristically developed in softer coffees. Very complete and balanced the medium body has a pleasant oily feel. Brighter than many Brasils, the acidity carries a distinct red fruit flavor that calls to mind early harvest plum. The finish is clean and lightly dry with plenty of cocoa powder notes.”

Overall, this coffee makes a lovely all-day sipper that is perfect for springtime. It sells for $18 a pound. Only five 132-pound bags were produced this year, so quantities are very limited.

Seattle IS Boeing and coffee, at least in part, no?

Note: In order to comply with FTC Act 16 C.F.R. 255, Heed the Hedonist would like to disclose that it does receive media “comps” and/or media discounts – but not in exchange for favorable coverage, or for withholding unfavorable coverage, of the given venue/meal/performance/product/service.

Desperation – a state of feeling or being (or both) without help, without hope. Sometimes this feeling is self-inflicted, and sometimes it is inflicted by another, possibly in a brutally violent way.

There is a film, two operas and one monologue currently up for viewing (and reviewing, which your Hedonista is doing based on her media invitations and subsequent attendance).

The show image for Fucking Fucking Fucking Ayn Rand. Image provided by SRT and used with permission.

First, the extremely short-run monologue at the Seattle Repertory Theatre (Seattle Rep/SRT) by Mike Daisey: Fucking Fucking Fucking Ayn Rand. Running May 8th-11th, 2013 (NOTE: his also did a May 1st-4th run of American Utopias, which I missed) this monologue – which to me, as a media “mooch” (or so we were called at the start of the show) felt more like a lecture – was absolutely hilarious in parts and boring in others in a way that made the mind wander (well, my mind, at least).

Ayn Rand was a Russian-American philosopher and writer of novels, screenplays and theatre. Born Alisa Zinov’yevna Rosenbaum, Ayn Rand is both loved and hated. Critic of her novels The Fountainhead and Atlas Shrugged abound, and yet both books are still enormously popular. Although ambitious and driven, this founder of Objectivism clearly had her moments of desperation. That said, it is Mike Daisey’s desperation regarding his frustration surrounding Ayn Rand and her life’s journey that forms the core of his presentation. Tickets for all of you “non-mooches” out there run $25 regardless of attendee age, day of performance, or seating, with the exception of $12 tickets available for those under 25 years of age (valid ID required). Discounted tickets for groups of ten or more are also available; call 206-443-2222.

Snapshot of the postcard promo of Eden, running at SIFF Cinema Uptown May 3rd-15th, 2013.

Second, the film Eden – a feature-length film currently showing at SIFF Cinema Uptown from May 3rd until May 15th, 2013. Directed by Megan Griffiths, this drama shares the shockingly true story of the kidnapping and enslavement of an 18-year-old Korean-American woman from her home state in New Mexico. Based on the shocking true-life story of Chong Kim, in the film the high school protagonist’s name is Hyun Jae (played by actress Jamie Chung, winner of the SIFF 2012 Golden Space Needle Award for Best Actress).

Laden with suspense and very little in the way of graphic sex scenes, this film sheds light on the sickeningly sinister darkness of the domestic American black market human sex trafficking “industry.” Sympathy for the girls, teens, and young women abounds as the story unfolds … as does a desperate desire for courage, escape and ultimately freedom. (Again, no spoilers, here; to see a trailer of this film, click here.) Tickets run $6.00 for SIFF Members and $11.00 for General Admission, excluding any applicable service fees.

Third and finally, there are a pair of desperate ladies of the opera that need our attention: La Voix Humane and Suor Angelica. Running at Seattle Opera May 4th through May 18th, 2013, this pair of operas feature the musical compositions of Francis Poulenc and Giacomo Puccini, respectively. Of particular interest regarding these shows is the stage lighting; Lighting Designer Connie Yun plays with old and new in thee two well-matched operas: modern LED energy-efficient lighting in La Voix Humaine, and traditional, old-style lighting in Suor Angelica.

Two operatic damsels in distress, from left to right: Sicialian Soprano Nuccia Focile as Elle in La Voix Humaine and Russian Soprano Maria Gavrilova as Suor Angelica. Photos by © Elise Bakketun, provided by Seattle Opera, and used with permission.

Curious about this dichotomy, I fired off a few questions via email to Jonathan Dean, Director of Public Programs and Media at Seattle Opera.

Hedonista: Why are these two mini operas paired together and is this a typical pairing?

Jonathan: “Good question! These two operas were paired in Trieste, Italy, which is the company that created the set and the costumes for Suor Angelica. Speight Jenkins wrote, in his article Sins of the Flesh (printed in our [current] program): ‘Both these works deal with women at the end of their ropes, suffering terrible losses….these two concise works are particularly suited to each other because these two richly imagined women, pushed to the brink by circumstances beyond their control, must grapple with despair.’”

“When I asked the conductor, Gary Thor Wedow, that question, he said (in [a posting on The Seattle Opera Blog on Monday, April 29th, 2013]): ‘There’s obviously a betrayed, lonely, sad lady at the core of both operas. But for me what has been wonderful is to find in Suor Angelica Puccini at his most French. He uses many techniques of the impressionists: parallelism; planing, which is these beautiful chords all in a row; orchestration reminsicent [sp] of Debussy, etc. I find that in terms of the composition the pieces are tied together in a very interesting way. They use similar harmonic languages and similar orchestral effects. And that hadn’t occurred to me when we began talking about this double bill.’”

Hedonista: The lighting is very different for the two operas – dimly lit with a slight seedy quality in La Voix Humaine and reverent and cold in Suor Angelica. Would you care to shed some light (pun intended) on why this is the case?

Jonathan: “…. In … [the May 7th, 2013 Seattle Opera] blog, she [Connie Yun] said: ‘We thought, what if we distinguished between the two pieces, one more modern and one more traditional, by applying this new technology to La Voix Humaine? After all, it’s an intimate, one-person show which afforded us the freedom to experiment.’

Hedonista: The music is also, in a way, at polar-yet-complimentary opposites: Poulence’s music signifies raw dissonance while Puccini’s music alludes to faith and hope. Both reveal desperation and great loss. Care to comment?

Jonathan: “That’s a really interesting comment. On the one hand, the setting of Suor Angelica calls for music written in the fashion of much ecclesiastical music, which tends to involve faith and hope. But when Angelica is in despair (in the Princess scene, for instance) Puccini uses the same harsh bitonality he used at points in Turandot. Voix really isn’t so dissonant, harmonically speaking (it’s jazzy, at points)…but her abrupt mood changes would be out of place in Suor’s convent, where expression is generally tranquil and muted.”

Ticket prices start at $25; the Twitter hashtag for this operatic duet is #DialOforOpera.

Note: In order to comply with FTC Act 16 C.F.R. 255, Heed the Hedonist would like to disclose that it does receive media “comps” and/or media discounts – but not in exchange for favorable coverage, or for withholding unfavorable coverage, of the given venue/meal/performance/product/service.

What do people think of when they think of the words “Washington State” … what words do they associate with this place? Forests? Mountains? The Pacific Ocean?

How about wine? Beer? Spirits?

Seafood? Apples?

How about … cherries, dear hedonists? Apparently Washington State produces approximately 40% of the nation’s sweet cherry production.

In 1988, Chukar Cherries was born as a family business of CEO Pamela Montgomery (surprise, surprise, they acquired a cherry orchard of 8,000 cherry trees). (NOTE: A chukar is a partridge of the hills of the Inland Northwest that sport cherry red beaks and legs and love to swoop in and pick cherries straight from the cherry trees. Their logo and ongoing artwork comes from Northwest freelance illustrator and artist Jim Hays.) Their products boast “100% natural” – in other words, freedom from preservatives, sulfites, trans fat, gluten, and anything artificial. They’re Kosher (KOF-K), too. They even have a couple of organic products as well, but don’t go completely organic due to the threat of the Mediterranean fruit fly.

Basically, take cherries (and berries) and nuts (almonds, pecans, cashews, hazelnuts and pistachios), dry them, and add chocolate.

Recently, the company sent your Hedonista a few samples to try – specifically, their Raspberry Truffles (dried cranberries in white chocolate), Cherry Bings, Dark Chocolate Classic Cherries, Dark Chocolate Cabernet Cherries, Dark Chocolate Vanilla Almonds, and Milk Chocolate Honey Pecans.

All were tasty, with the tastiest by far (to me) being the Milk Chocolate Honey Pecans. Wow!

They even have an entire Recipe Section on their website that features ways to incorporate their products in various foodie ways (which I admit I have yet to try).  However, in my opinion, the best way to eat these lil’ treats is all mixed together, fruit-nut-’n'-chocolate (think gourmet, locavore Bridge Mixture  or Trail Mix here). And they’re really nice with wine, too.

And yes, they sell a Bridge Mix of their own (Vanilla almonds, Chocolate blueberries, Cherry Bings, Dark Chocolate Cabernet Cherries and Classic Milk Cherries).

“Chukar Cherries Mix” (mixed using all the samples I was sent) is the way to go, in my opinion. Think gourmet trail mix here.

Chukar Cherries has both an online store (complete with representation on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest) and three brick and mortar locations: its Flagship Store & Factory in Prosser, its Seattle location at Pike Place Market, and its relatively new (as of the summer of 2012) tore in Leavenworth.

They do boxes, tins, and gift baskets, too.

(Hint: Mother’s Day is coming up….)

Note: In order to comply with FTC Act 16 C.F.R. 255, Heed the Hedonist would like to disclose that it does receive media “comps” and/or media discounts – but not in exchange for favorable coverage, or for withholding unfavorable coverage, of the given venue/meal/performance/product/service.

All good things come to an end, dear hedonists. And this week marks the end of a few shows – both stage and screen – that some of you out there might want to catch before they’re gone.

(Your Hedonista viewed them all as media.)

First, there’s 5th Avenue Theatre‘s Jersey Boys. This musical tale of Rock and Roll Hall of Famers Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons tells of the rags-to-riches evolution of four blue-collar, Roman Catholic, Italian-American boys – first generation born American – who came from the rough part of New Jersey and who could have very well ended up as prisoners rather than pop stars. The Four Season sold 175 million records worldwide – all before its musicians/singers were 30 years of age.

From left to right: Jason Kappus (Bob Gaudio), Colby Foytik (Tommy DeVito), Brad Weinstock (Frankie Valli) and Brandon Andrus (Nick Massi). Photo by Joan Marcus, provided by 5th Avenue, and used with permission.

After its month-long run, this production must end May 4th. Tickets start at $37; get 2-for-1 tickets using the promotion code RAGDOLL by calling 206-625-1900, by visiting the Box Office in person, or by clicking this link here.

The program cover of The Final Tribunal into the Mysterious Death of Mister Salvador Dalí, starring (from left to right and top to bottom): Chris MacDonald (Detective Tristan), Heather Persinger (The Art Historian), Monica Finney (Detective Isolde), and Carter Rodriguez (The Investigator).

Second, there’s a play running April 11th until May 4th, 2013 that’s put on by Pony World Theatre & Theatre Off Jackson (the latter of which was also involved in a 2011 production about artist Edvard Munch in 3 Screams). This play is entitled The Final Tribunal into the Mysterious Death of Mister Salvador Dalí. It’s as bizarre as the Surrealist artist, Salvador Domingo Felipe Jacinto Dalí i Domènech, whose death this production revolves around – offers everything from eggs dropping from the ceiling to full-on nudity. Fans of Dalí take note: this play pulls its audience in and makes its members feel as if they are, in actual fact, living in a Dalí painting.

Three shows remain: May 2nd, 3rd, and 4th at 8:00 p.m. Tickets run from $10-$13, excluding service fees, online via Brown Paper Tickets and $12-$15 at the door.

Todd Berger wrote, directed, and starred in his 2012 dark comedy film It’s A Disaster. He plays the hazmat suit-wearing neighbor.

Third – and finally – there’s a 2012, 88-minute film that ends Thursday, May 2nd at the SIFF Cinema Uptown: It’s A Disaster. Eight friends meet up for their monthly couples brunch gathering at one of the couples’ homes. As the alcohol is poured, personal issues surface, making the brunch a disaster. But they ain’t seen nothing until an actual catastrophic event hits their city.

It’s one hilariously dark comedy written and directed by Todd Berger and including a cast of  David Cross, Julia Stiles, America Ferrera, Rachel Boston, Kevin M. Brennan, Jeff Grace, Erinn Hayes, and Blaise Miller. Todd Berger plays the divorced next-door-neighbor who resents his lack of a brunch invite and seems prepared for an apocalyptic event. Actor David Cross plays a crazy killer straight man … literally.

(No spoilers, dear hedonists!)

The takeaway from this film: never, ever, be that couple that shows up unfashionably late. (Those of you hedonists out there who see this film will understand.)

The film opened in theatres April 12th, 2013, and opened at SIFF Cinema Uptown on April 19th. Two showings remain, both tomorrow, May 2nd: 7:15 p.m. and 9:45 p.m. Tickets are available online for $11.00 general admission and $6.00 for SIFF members, excluding fees.

Oh, and the SIFF Festival 2013 Box Office opens at 10:00 a.m. tomorrow morning (May 2nd, 2013).

Note: In order to comply with FTC Act 16 C.F.R. 255, Heed the Hedonist would like to disclose that it does receive media “comps” and/or media discounts – but not in exchange for favorable coverage, or for withholding unfavorable coverage, of the given venue/meal/performance/product/service.

Last Friday, a new eatery opened up in downtown Seattle. An eatery with a modern vibe, a killer outdoor patio, and more space devoted to “adult arcade” activities than I’ve ever seen before (and there’s no pool table in sight).

The place? Frolik Kitchen + Cocktails (they have a Frolik Seattle Facebook page; their Twitter handle is @frolikseattle). Located in the Red Lion Inn on 5th Avenue, right across from the 5th Avenue Theatre, it’s not visible from the street. In fact, it’s located on the fifth floor.

From left to right: The 4,000 square foot deck features outdoor Ping-Pong, shuffleboard and seating, complete with firewall, fireplace and sting lights overhead; a Taylor Shellfish Farms oyster shucking station; and four indoor TVs with Xbox Kinect stations loaded on them.

Your Hedonista attended the Pre-Opening Party on April 18th, 2013. This place is retro-trendy and features breakfast, lunch, and dinner by Chef Shailu Salian, with food touted as Regional American à la the Pacific Northwest. Edible offerings include everything from light bites to full-on meals. They have an oyster shucking station with raw oysters from Taylor Shellfish Farms for $2 a piece. Frolik also offers OUT/grab-and-go items and nightly happy evenings (forget a mere couple of happy hours) from 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., complete with $5 tasty share-able plates (such as Caprese skewers, smoked salmon deviled eggs, grape goat cheese pistachio bon-bons, and bourbon bacon popcorn), $5 cocktails, and beer and select wine for $4.50.

Frolik Bartender Joe Sefton puts the finishing touches on my Interlude Sour at the 24-foot cocktail bar.

The cocktails – their creation headed by Mike McSorley – are creative and fun; my current #1 pick is the Interlude Sour: Reposado Tequila, lemon juice, Crème de Violette, egg white and St-Germain ($11).

“Frolik is what Downtown Seattle has been waiting for,” said Carrie Dietz, Director of Fun aat Frolik Kitchen + Cocktails. “Inviting, open spaces paired with fresh, fun libations and inventive fare encourage our guests to leave all their troubles behind. Whether they’re on the shuffleboard court, hosting a lunch meeting or relaxing by the firewall, Frolik offers Downtown a fresh new way to mix, mingle and socialize.”

Open from 6:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m. every day, this place is worth a visit en route to catching a show nearby, or when taking a break from working or shopping downtown.

The deck alone (on a rain-free day) is worth a visit, dear hedonists.

Note: In order to comply with FTC Act 16 C.F.R. 255, Heed the Hedonist would like to disclose that it does receive media “comps” and/or media discounts – but not in exchange for favorable coverage, or for withholding unfavorable coverage, of the given venue/meal/performance/product/service.

I tell you, dear hedonists – this Spring has been filled with – for the most part – intense, “downer” theatrical runs. Not that they aren’t good productions, mind you … most of them are just lacking in joy, warm, fuzzy feelings, and lighthearted comedy.

Severely lacking.

Just like slavery, oppression, Kafka, and … turning 40.

But, in all cases, that’s the intent, of course.

The next two plays I’m about to discuss (and which your Hedonista attended as media) are also anything but comedies … yet still great theatre, nonetheless.

Ryan Childers (Caleb) and Tyler Trerise (John) in The Whipping Man at Taproot Theatre. Photo by Erik Stuhaug, provided by Taproot, and used with permission.

The first runs March 27th to April 27th, 2013: Matthew Lopez’s The Whipping Man over at the Taproot Theatre Company (which premiered off-Broadway in 2011 at the Manhattan Theatre Club). Directed by Scott Nolte, this play features a 3-person, all-male cast: Ryan Childers as Caleb (Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Christmas Carol, Leaving Iowa, An Ideal Husband, and Something’s Afoot), William Hall, Jr. as Simon, and Tyler Trerise as John. It tells the tale of a Jewish Confederate soldier who goes home to Richmond, Virginia and reunites with two of his family’s former slaves, who are now freed as a result of the Civil War. A pretty heady mix; its playwright has been described as a “foxhole Episcopalian from the Florida Panhandle, the son of a Puerto Rican father and a Polish-Russian mother….”

Not surprisingly, complications and tensions ensue; themes of enslavement, liberation, wrongs, forgiveness, justice, family and spiritualism touch all the characters, regardless of race.

All three actors pull their roles off exquisitely – prepare to be moved. It runs for approximately two hours, including a single 15-minute intermission.

Six performances remain of The Whipping Man; tickets range in price from $15-$40, depending on attendee age and date and time of performance. This play is recommended for ages 16 years and older.

The second play runs April 5th through the 28th, with an extension May 2nd through the 5th: Franz Kafka’s The Trial. Put on by the New Century Theatre Company (NCTC) and directed by John Langs (Antony and Cleopatra and Hamlet over at SCC), who is also the NCTC Affiliate Artist, this play tells the tale of Jospeh K turning 40 and his troubled year that ensues, played with intensity by Darragh Kennan, (The Music Man, (Antony and Cleopatra, As You Like It, Sylvia, Hamlet, The Dumb Waiter, Celebration), who is also the NCTC Artistic Director.

Darragh Kennan (Joseph K) and Alexandra Tavarez (Titorelli).
Photo by Chris Bennion, provided by NCTC, and used with permission.

This play – based on one of Kafka’s best-known novels – changes the age of the protagonist, adding 10 years. It’s also very sexually-charged, complete with a very revealing shirt worn by the – er – “titillating Titorelli” (played beautifully by Alexandra Tavares and a character originally written as a man, not a woman) and (discreet) fellatio.

(Hedonists, take note!)

In true Kafka-esque fashion, it doesn’t end well for good ol’ Joseph K.

My one critique: the seating is cramped – the audience is seated in jury boxes, after being “cleared and processed” – with little leg room and uncomfortable (and noisy) folding chairs.

Especially given the fact that this play runs for approximately ninety minutes, with no intermission.

But, once again, apparently that’s the intent: for the audience to feel as uncomfortable and on edge as Joseph K.

Eight performances remain of NCTC’s The Trial, with all of April’s remaining shows – as well as the Saturday, May 4th show – sold out. Tickets range are $30 for general admission and $20 for seniors, students, TPS and AEA members (with valid ID).

Note: In order to comply with FTC Act 16 C.F.R. 255, Heed the Hedonist would like to disclose that it does receive media “comps” and/or media discounts – but not in exchange for favorable coverage, or for withholding unfavorable coverage, of the given venue/meal/performance/product/service.

Hedonism is everywhere, dear hedonists. Absolutely everywhere. Take the Tri-Cities here in Washington State: Kennewick, Pasco, and Richland/West Richland, for example.

What makes this southeastern part of the state so hedonistic? Well, they boast an average of some 300 days of sunshine a year. And arguably the red-wine sweet spot for wine grapes is located on the eastern edge of the Yakima Valley, betwixt and between Benton City and Richland: the Red Mountain AVA (American Viticultural Area). Grapes here sell for about three times the state average.

Recently, your Hedonista attended a “Taste the Tri-Cities” media event held in Seattle to try some of the wines and treats this area has to offer. In addition to food and wine industry representatives, the Tri-Cities Visitor & Convention Bureau was there, as was the Hanford Reach Interpretive Center.

Some of Terra Blanca’s offerings, from left to right: their Signature Series 2008 Cab Sav, their 2009 Onyx, their Signature Series 2007 Block 8 Syrah, and their Signature Series 208 Merlot.

First and foremost, there are the wines, with fruit sourced mainly from the Red Mountain AVA.

Terra Blanca Winery & Estate Vineyard was there, touting themselves as “The Complete Red Mountain Food & Wine Experience” and with the tag line “White Earth, Blue Skies, Red Mountain.” Owned and operated over the past two decades (2013 marks their 20th anniversary/birthday) by Keith and ReNae Pilgrim, they are more than simply a winery. With tasting rooms both on-site and in Spokane (Nectar), they also offer educational and entertaining tours and tastings. And they have a restaurant, too: Café Orsa. They poured four of their wines at this event. There was their Signature Series 2008 Merlot (surprisingly silky on the tongue, apparently from the calcium carbonate in the soil); their Signature Series 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon (aged 32 months in new French Oak, it had a great nose, beautiful mouth feel, and classic Cab Sav taste); and their 2009 Onyx (a nice Bordeaux-style blend of Ca Sav, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Cab Franc, and Malbec). But the absolute highlight for me was their Signature Series 2007 Block 8 Syrah, made with 2% Viognier. Why? Because, to me, it’s the ultimate BBQ wine – it literally possesses notes of charbroil (in a good way). Syrahs are typically smokey in nature, but this is Syrah on Liquid Smoke (once again, in a good way). In fact, I’ve already stocked up on this particular bottle of wine for the Spring BBQ season (i.e., now, be it rain or shine). This wine would also be great with a cigar.

Three J. Bookwalter wines, from left to right: the 2011 Double Plot Chardonnay, the 2010 Foreshadow Cabernet Sauvignon, and the 2010 Conflict, complete with a square of their unique Bookwalter Tiramisu in the foreground (note its purplish wine hues).

Next, there was the J. Bookwalter Winery, established in 1983, complete with their new eatery, JBistro. It was nice to try their 2011 Double Plot Chardonnay (floral like a Viognier), their 2010 Foreshadow Cabernet Sauvignon (a nice, predictable Cab Sav), and their 2010 Conflict, made with Cab Sav, Merlot, and Cab Franc (a medium-bodied earthy wine). As if trying these three wines wasn’t a treat enough, they snuck in two more by way of their totally terrific Tiramisu – the recipe of which Chef Mark Schwegel over at JBistro was kind enough to share with yours truly:

Bookwalter Tiramisu, by Mark Schwegel, JBistro

INGREDIENTS:

Home made mascarpone zabaione (directions below)
1 cup Riesling  (They would likely use a vintage of their Couplet Conner-Lee Vineyards White or Notebook Riesling; the one I tried had the 2010 Couplet in it.)
8 egg yolks
½ cup sugar
½ cup mascarpone cheese
2 cup heavy cream
¾ cup powdered sugar
1 Tablespoon vanilla extract

Wine Coffee Soaking Liquid
1 ½ cup sweet red wine (They would likely use their 2010 Subplot No26 or 2011 Subplot No27; the one I tried had the former in it.)
1 ½ cup water
¾ cup brewed espresso or coffee
¾ cup sugar

Assembly 
Ladyfingers 
¼ cup cocoa powder

DIRECTIONS:

For the Mascarpone Zabaione:
Combine the Riesling, egg yolks, and sugar in a stainless steel mixing bowl and heat over a double boiler while whisking constantly.  Cook mixture till ribbon stage*; then take off heat and place in refrigerator to cool slightly. While zabaione is cooling place mascarpone in mixer and beat with a wisk attachment until the mascarpone begins to pull away from the sides of the mixing bowl. After the mascarpone has been whipped, remove it from the mixing bowl and place in the refrigerator. Next, combine the cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla with a standing mixer and whip cream until stiff peaks** form. When finished with the whip cream, remove the zabaione (egg yolk, sugar, Riesling mixture) from the refrigerator and fold in the mascarpone, then fold in the whip cream to the zabaione/mascarpone mixture in three additions. When all components have been folded together, place your mascarpone zabaione in the refrigerator until ready to assemble the tiramisu.

For the Coffee and Wine Soaking Liquid:
In non-reactive pan combine red wine, water, brewed espresso or coffee and sugar and bring to a boil, and as soon as sugar is completely dissolved remove from heat and cool slightly.

For Assembly:
Open up the Lady Fingers and place in a container for easy access, also have ready the soaking liquid, the home made mascarpone zabaione, and the cocoa powder for sprinkling. One at a time, dip the lady fingers into the wine/coffee mix and layer across the bottom of a 3 quart baking dish, preferably Pyrex. The hotter the soaking liquid, the quicker the Lady Fingers will absorb the liquid. After the bottom of the baking dish is covered in soaked Lady Fingers cover the Lady Fingers in a layer of the mascarpone zabaione and sprinkle with ¼ cup cocoa powder. As with the first layer, complete repeat the process two more times, making sure to stack the Lady Fingers in opposite directions for each layer.  Once the third layer is completed, cover the tiramisu with plastic wrap and let it set in the refrigerator for a minimum of 8 hours (or preferably overnight).

To Serve:
Remove the tiramisu from the refrigerator after it has had time to set and cut into desired sizes or shapes.  One three quart baking dish should yield 10-12 pieces. After tiramisu is cut, remove the piece to a plate and garnish with powdered sugar and/or cocoa powder and serve. 

*Ribbon-stage is a cooking term describing the texture of an egg-and-sugar mixture that has been beaten until pale and extremely thick. When the beater or whisk is lifted, the batter falls slowly back onto the surface of the mixture, forming a ribbon like pattern that, after a few seconds, sinks back into the batter.

**Stiff peaks. Egg whites or whipping (heavy) cream beaten until peaks stand up straight when beaters are lifted from the bowl while still being moist and glossy.

A white-red duet from Fidélitas: their 2011 Optu and their 2009 Ciel du Cheval Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon.

Also pouring at this Tri-Cities event were liquid offerings from Fidélitas – owner and winemaker Charlie Hoppes’ boutique winery with its “modern shed” tasting room - specifically their 2010 Optu and their 2009 Ciel du Cheval Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon. The white Optu – 60% Sauvignon Blanc and 40% Sémillon – was crisp and clean. The Ciel du Cheval Vineyards was truly a powerhouse Cabernet Sauvignon that tasted more like a Bordeaux-style blend than merely a Cab; it was aged in all new oak barrels: 80% French oak, 20% American oak.

Hedges Family Estate Winery was also present; of their wines I tried three: their HIP (House of Independent Producers) 2011 Dionysus Vineyards Sagemoor Farms Chardonnay (dry and crisp, with notes of apple), their 2010 Hedges Family Estate Red Mountain flagship red wine (red fruit forward with drying tannins), and their 2010 DLD  Syrah Cuvée Marcel DuPont Descendent Syrah (nicely balanced with touches of both smoke and spice).

Wines from Hedges Family Estate, from right to left: 2011 HIP Chardonnay, 2010 Hedges Family Estate Red Mountain, and their 2010 DLD Syrah.

Barnard Griffin was also there, complete with Deborah Barnard and Rob Griffin’s labels donned in the original tulip image taken in Deborah’s garden back in 1983. Located on Tulip Lane in Richland, their many-hued tasting room  holds up to 80 people and currently offers a light menu, including panini offerings and charcuterie and cheese boards. Deborah is a glass artisan, too, who offers classes.

From left to right: the 2011 Chardonnay, the 2012 Rosé, the 2012 Merlot, and the 2009 Malbec.

Wines I tasted from Barnard Griffin: their flagship tulip-laden bottle of 2011 Chardonnay, aged 40% in French oak, with  bit of Hungarian oak and 60% stainless steel. The result: a citrus-y Chard with very subtle yet complex qualities that don’t knock you over with oak. Their 2012 Rosé of Sangiovese is consistently one of my top pinks year after year; this vintage share notes of strawberry, raspberry and cherry to make an ideal light porch wine. Their 2010 Merlot, complete with the signature tulip label, has balanced notes of dried fruit and spice and is very consistent with a traditional merlot. And their 2009 Reserve Malbec is both hearty and yummy.

Finally, there was Chandler Reach Vineyards - located in Benton City, Washington, so technically a part of the Yakima Valley AVA (the first AVA designated in Washington State) and not the Red Mountain AVA, which, when one looks at an AVA map, seems to be carved out of the Yakima Valley AVA. They provide information on appellations on their website. Chandler Reach boasts some 42 acres of estate grown fruit to turn into Italian-style wines. They also offer private villa tours, Italian Dinner nights, and space for corporate events and private parties.

Some of the wines from Chandler Reach Vineyards, from left to right: the 2006 Syrah, the 2008 Monte Regalo, the 2008 Ventoso, and the 2008 Corella.

I tried their “Super Tuscan” (75% Sangiovese, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 5% Merlot) 2008 Corella (big tastes here), their 2008 Yakima Valley Ventoso or “Windy” (notes of cassis and spices), their 2008 Monte Regalo or “Mountain’s Gift” (69% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Merlot, 16% Cabernet Franc and aged in oak for smooth strength) and their 2006 Syrah (soft vanilla notes – they recommend this one with lamb).

Milk Chocolate Caramel Cake, Dark Chocolate Huckleberry Truffles (my #1 pick), and Dark Chocolate Caramel Peanut Bars.

Oh, and there were confections from Country Mercantile in Pasco: specifically, jam and chocolates; highlights there included their Strawberry Pineapple Jam (I was given a jar to take home with me), as well as chocolates (some of which I also got to take home) – my #1 pick out of the chocolates were the dark chocolate huckleberry truffles.

My interest thoroughly piqued, I now plan to get over to the Tri-Cities this summer to investigate their hedonism further.

Stay tuned, dear hedonists.

Stay tuned.

Note: In order to comply with FTC Act 16 C.F.R. 255, Heed the Hedonist would like to disclose that it does receive media “comps” and/or media discounts – but not in exchange for favorable coverage, or for withholding unfavorable coverage, of the given venue/meal/performance/product/service.

Growing up can be hard. Very, very hard. But, as Kahil Gibran once said, “Out of suffering have emerged the strongest souls; the most massive characters are seared with scars.

Sara L. Porkalob as Edith, complete with her froggie, a gift to her from her mother. Photo by Paul Bestock, provided by SPT, and used with permission.

Enter both a heartwarming and heartwrenching play written by Filipino playwright A. Rey Pamatmat and directed by David Gassner that is currently running at the Seattle Public Theater (SPT) at the Bathhouse on Green Lake: Edith Can Shoot Things and Hit Them.

(Note: Your Hedonista attended this production as media; the last SPT production I reviewed as media was The Understudy.)

Edith Can Shoot Things and Hit Them - a 2011 Harold and Mimi Steinberg ATCA New Play Award Finalist – tells the coming-of-age tale. The premature coming-of-age tale of a family that, in more ways than one, lost a wife and mother – a loss that resulted in an absentee Dad and two children left to deal with growing up alone.

Two Filipino-American siblings – twelve-year-old Edith (Sara Porkalob) and her older brother Kenny (Jose Abaoag), along with Kenny’s boyfriend Benji (Tim Smith-Stewart) – play very realistic teens dealing with very realistic issues. The same-sex romance is believable, as-is Edith’s often over-active imagination. Although a mere three-member cast of youths, these characters bring life and development to the adult characters whom we never see.

Teen lovers Kenny (played by Jose Abaoag, left) and Benji (played by Tim Smith-Stewart, right). Photo by Paul Bestock, provided by SPT, and used with permission.

The result: a redefinition of family that gives all involved a revitalized sense of hope and of loving and being loved. How a tween girl can show two gay teenage lovers that family comes in all shapes and sizes.

This play is rated for an audience aged 13 years of age and up, due to its mature subject matter.

Four performances remain – three 7:30 p.m. performances tonight, Friday night, and Saturday night, as well as a Sunday afternoon performance at 2:00 p.m. Tickets range in price from $15-$29, depending on age of attendee and date of performance.

Next up: The Language Archive finishes up the 2012-2013 season, with a preview on May 16th, 2013 and a May 17th to June 9th, 2013 run. The 2013-2014 season at SPT will perform the following plays: Broke-ology, American Wee-Pie, Gidion’s Knot, and Arcadia.

Note: In order to comply with FTC Act 16 C.F.R. 255, Heed the Hedonist would like to disclose that it does receive media “comps” and/or media discounts – but not in exchange for favorable coverage, or for withholding unfavorable coverage, of the given venue/meal/performance/product/service.

It’s always a good time to visit Italy – the pasta, the wine, the olive oil. And if hopping on a plane just isn’t an option, then taking your taste buds on an around-the-regions-tour of Italy just might be an option.

Take your Hedonista, for example. Almost three years ago, in August of 2010, I first wrote about my first introduction to Il Fornaio and its taste bud tour of Italy. At that time, it was the Tuscany region of Italy that they were featuring at a media dinner. Highlights for me included the Mezzelune Cacio e Pere (half-moonravioli stuffed with grilled pears, mozzarella, and Grana Padano and smothered in an asparagus-crescenza cream sauce topped with toasted walnuts) and the Pappardelle di Castagne (chestnut pasta with Italian sausage, porcini mushrooms, tomatoes, peppers and wine).

Tonight, April 14th, 2013, is the final night for their Toscana region yet again, which ran from April 1st to the 14th. (I recently attended another media/industry dinner.) Diners were given a bag of Cannellini Beans with cooking instructions and a link to recipes on how to prepare them, such as Cannellini In Tre Ricette. Highlights this time were the Garmugia soup –  an artichoke, asparagus, fava bean and pea soup with Italian sausage and dousing a wedge of grilled filone bread ($4.99 cup/$5.99 bowl) – and the Merluzzo alla Livornese – baked local (and in-season) wild cod in a breaded basil crust and drenched in chunky, simmered tomatoes chocked with roasted olives and capers; the full-sized portion also comes with roasted Yukon Gold spuds and fresh sautéed veggies ($26.99). (Oh, and the dessert – Bongo Gelato for $8.59 – consisted of caramel sea salt ice cream and house made profiteroles sandwich with chocolate sauce and crème anglaise.

Some of the Tuscan menu offerings, from left to right, all in tasting portions, save for the dessert: Insalata de Farro e Fave (fave bean and farro salad) and Garmugia (asparagus, artichoke, fava bean and pea soup); Cinghiale dela Maremma (braised wild boar with root veggies in wine sauce and a side of broccolini) and Merluzzo alla Livornese (baked wild cod in a lovely tomato sauce); and, for dessert, Bongo Gelato – drum-shaped house made profiteroles filled with caramel sea salt ice cream on a bed of crème anglaise and drenched in warm chocolate sauce.

Of course, there was also the always-appreciated Pappardelle di Castagne ($18.79) and the Mezzelune Cacio e Pere ($18.99).

Order à la carte or get their three-course tasting menu for $29.99 (and add a wine flight of three half-pours for $14.99). There are still two more regions in their first half of 2013′s Passaporto Festa Regionale 2013 menu offerings: Puglia (May 6th-19th) and Liguria (June 3rd-16th). Then, from July until December, there is a second passaporto that features six additional regions: Sicilia (July1st-14th), Sardegna (August 5th-18th), Veneto (September 2nd-15th), Lombardia (October 7th-20th), Piemonte (November 4th-17th), and the Best of Festa (December 2nd-15th). Both passports offer a chance to dine in all six featured regions to receive a collector’s plate and enter into a contest for a chance to win a trip for two to Italy.

Oh, and Seattle’s Il Foranio Chef-Partner Franz E. Junga had this recipe to share with me, which in turn I am sharing with you, dear hedonists:

Risotto al Chianti, by Chef-Partner Franz E. Junga, Il Foranio:

INGREDIENTS:

½ cup     Porcini or sautéed wild mushrooms

½ cup     Olive oil

½ cup     Chianti

½ pound      Beef tenderloin

2 cup     Carnaroli rice

2 ea      Shallots

3 ea      Garlic cloves, chopped

10 cups    Chicken, stock

2 ½ Tbsp   Butter

½ cup     Grated parmesan

Salt and pepper (to taste)

DIRECTIONS:

Bring the stock to a boil, and reduce to a high simmer.  Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil and ½ tablespoon butter in a large sauce pot.  Sautée the shallots and garlic briefly then add the rice.  Sautée the rice, stirring to ensure all kernels are toasted.  Add the wine and reduce.  Begin adding the stock little by little, stirring until fully incorporated before adding more.  Sautée the tenderloin in a separate pan briefly.  Continue adding stock, and when rice is nearing completion (about 10-15 minutes) add the beef and porcini mushrooms.  Season with salt and pepper.  Finish cooking to desired completeness and remove from the heat.  Immediately add the remaining butter, Parmesan, and chopped parsley and mix deliberately and forcefully, working the risotto into the sides of the pan.  When fully incorporated, serve.  If too dry, add a little bit of hot stock and mix again. For extra flavor, finish with a splash of Chianti just before serving. 

Enjoy!

Note: In order to comply with FTC Act 16 C.F.R. 255, Heed the Hedonist would like to disclose that it does receive media “comps” and/or media discounts – but not in exchange for favorable coverage, or for withholding unfavorable coverage, of the given venue/meal/performance/product/service.