"Smorgasbord" Original Musical Will Make You Hungry For More

Photo: The Ridgefield Theater Barn

Running through leap year day, February 29, is a campy, song and dance creation that will get your tummy rumbling. “Smorgasbord!” is an original musical revue written by Bradford Blake – whose previous Theater Barn production, “Wreck the Halls” was a holiday hit. This production, featuring Anya Caravella, Robert Geils, Tracey Marble, and Zachary Theis, has them singing and dancing their way through twenty food scenes. Smorgasbord is a show about foodstuff that will leave you laughing at its references to many different culinary clichés and cultures, including Chinese, Mexican, French, and Italian food, ice cream, kielbasa and more. While recommended for mature audiences due to some culinary innuendo, it is a very enjoyable “lighthearted” evening of all original songs played by a live band on stage. 

Opening night had the audience laughing during the first and second courses (acts). It is a fun night out incorporating “dinner” and a show. The cabaret seating at candlelit tables allows you to bring in your own food and beverages to enjoy prior to the opening act. Pack a picnic or just some nibbles to nosh on. This show will make you hungry for more. The venue also provides refreshments including beer and wine for purchase should you choose.

Smorgasbord is silly fun that leaves you feeling “full” from laughter. Songs like “Chez McDonald’s”, “Pigoletto”, and “Sukiyaki Sue” will have you chuckling as the lyrics are clever puns on many ethnic foods. The actors do a great job expressing themselves all while delivering original song and dance routines incorporating all food related lines. The stage is compact but the cast executes the choreography well staying in step with one another. Visible on stage is the three piece band - piano, bass and drums - who execute the original scores all while wearing chef hats to keep in theme. Whether your culinary experiences are influenced by lactose intolerance or trying to get your kids to eat their vegetables, you are sure to find many things that will hit home.

The Ridgefield Theater Barn has been staging original productions for over 50 years. This not-for-profit organization works from a rustic converted dairy barn with a small theater group dedicated to providing Community Theater, and producing an ongoing series of dramas, comedies, and musicals on a compact stage. The Ridgefield Workshop for the Performing Arts, Inc. continues to schedule four shows per year, with performers chosen through open auditions and ranging from amateurs to seasoned professionals.

Under the direction of Pamme Jones, the Executive Director since September of 2017, this theatre continues to thrive. Jones continues to perform as an actor, improviser and singer on a regular basis. Her commitment to the RTB grows as an extension of the belief in their mission.  The education and growth that are fostered here through participation in live theater in idyllic Ridgefield, CT is the icing on the cake, another foodie reference!

The entire staff, whether on stage or off, are volunteers willing to do anything as a team to continue the successful live theatre shows. Come out to dine on Smorgasbord! It is a hit. Support live theatre, and don’t miss this original foodie cabaret!  –Donna Monaco Olsen

Details: 

The Ridgefield Theater Barn
Located at 37 Halpin Lane in Ridgefield, CT.
203-431-9850; www.ridgefieldtheaterbarn.org

Enjoy cabaret seating, and bring food and beverage as you wish. The doors open one hour prior to curtain. Purchase tickets on line at ridgefieldtheaterbarn.org for $38 adults and $33 students, seniors, and veterans.