” A Recipe For Disaster”

They have taken this lower level ( with its own entrance, on Randolph) and converted it to a newly opened restaurant called “The Contumacious Pig”. As you enter, you are checked in ( Covid rules and regulations are followed) and as you go down the wide and long spiral staircase, you enter the lower lobby as the crowd gathers for the evening’s festivities. By the way, there is also an elevator, but the walk down the stairs is exciting and adds to the mystique.

For about 30 minutes ( they suggest you arrive early for drinks-why not build the bar business?) you mingle and watch as a few of the employees run back and forth doing things, but  at about “curtain time” the story, or should I say stories begin to unfold. As in most farces, there is a great deal of slapstick “stuff” and often it is difficult to know where we should be paying attention. They do start feeding us before we take our assigned seats. Roasted dates with smoky gorgonzola doice/cilantro ( very tasty- we were able to get seconds) with a Chicago Paloma- a juicy beverage with Malort. We also had a crispy pita with homemade hummus, roasted tomatoes and oil-cured olives ( again, I was able to snatch a second one).

The doors opened and we went to our seats. Tables were everywhere and our seats were along the kitchen wall, so we were as close to the action as one wants to get. I do not want to spoil anything for your experience, and please understand that my rating is based on MY feeling. I found the script a little confusing in some areas. There may have been a few too many stories. I am not sure that we needed the “vegan” and her friend with all their little things. I understand the Health Inspector visit because that allows for the writers to do some true farcical things with lots of door slamming, and pots and pans flying thru the air. By the way, the stunts were well executed and Felix( Daniel Trinidad) is a genius when it comes to juggling and acrobatics.

Iggy ( Alex Morales) and Jude ( Ben Page) work well together and are able to pull off most of their slapstick :stuff”. Much is held together by Shelley ( Emma Jo Boyden) who is the manager that holds all the pieces together. Boris ( Ian Maryfield) is the new worker , but as it turns out, he is not what he seems to be. Clyde ( Ryan Reilly) as the inspector is everywhere and his character is as well. Is he who he claims to be or who he told Kiki ( Carley Cornelius) and  Loreen ( Kierra Bunch).

Written by Rick Bayless ( who I am sure had a hand in the menu), Carl Menninger and Amy Rubenstein with a writing team composed of Deann Bayless and Kevin Sullivan and skillfully directed by David H. Bell on a fabulous set designed by William Boles, I truly feel that this show will get “legs” as it proceeds. Audience reaction will work towards future changes and as the actors ad-lib ( and they will) the natural comic flow will happen.

I do want to praise Caitlin McCarthy for her props and set dressing. I also want to tell you that when they serve the first soup, do not swallow!

The meal-fresh herb pasta with Maryland Crab and the wild onion Veloute and then the “roast Suckling Pig with Thai-flavored dauphinoise potatoes were amazing. Surprising, but amazing. Wines are served with these as well and then the DESSERT- this will astound you- Chocolate Fantasy of moist chocolate cake sandwiched with avacado-chocolate mousse, tequilla-mascerated mango. If they offer you a second- grab it, but you may need to see your dentist the next day.

“A Recipe For Disaster” will continue thru 12/26 ( maybe extended)

performances are as follows: