I Love to Eat - written by James Still, directed by Jessica Kubzansky - Portland Center Stage. January-February 2013
This new play celebrates the life and talent of a Portland, Oregon, original—James Beard
Before Julia Child, before today’s proliferation of cooking shows and networks, there was James Beard, the first TV chef. He brought fine cooking to the small screen in 1946 and helped establish an American cuisine. But, as is often the case with pioneers, his early efforts on screen have been lost. He went on to become America’s first “foodie,” and the award bearing his name is still the prize most coveted by chefs. Playwright James Still invites you to meet the man described as “the face and belly of American gastronomy” in this play that recreates an evening at Beard’s New York home.
Before Julia Child, before today’s proliferation of cooking shows and networks, there was James Beard, the first TV chef. He brought fine cooking to the small screen in 1946 and helped establish an American cuisine. But, as is often the case with pioneers, his early efforts on screen have been lost. He went on to become America’s first “foodie,” and the award bearing his name is still the prize most coveted by chefs. Playwright James Still invites you to meet the man described as “the face and belly of American gastronomy” in this play that recreates an evening at Beard’s New York home.
Scenic Design - Tom Buderwitz
Costume Design - Jeff Cone
Lighting Design - Daniel Meeker
Sound Design - John Zalewski
Stage Manager - Jeremy Eisen
Assistant Director - Elizabeth Klinger
Production Assistant - Kailyn McCord
Rob Nagle - James Beard
Costume Design - Jeff Cone
Lighting Design - Daniel Meeker
Sound Design - John Zalewski
Stage Manager - Jeremy Eisen
Assistant Director - Elizabeth Klinger
Production Assistant - Kailyn McCord
Rob Nagle - James Beard
VIDEOS
Chef Higgins Trains Actor - Oregon Art Beat (video)
Opening Night - KGW PDX Tonight (video)
I LOVE TO EAT trailer (video)
PCS profiles Portland chef James Beard - Valerie Hurst, KATU News (video)
Chef Higgins Trains Actor - Oregon Art Beat (video)
Opening Night - KGW PDX Tonight (video)
I LOVE TO EAT trailer (video)
PCS profiles Portland chef James Beard - Valerie Hurst, KATU News (video)
FEATURES
PCS Press Release
James Beard On Stage - Portland Monthly
PCS sets the table - The Oregonian
Morning In Depth - KXL FM News (audio)
PCS serves up a taste - The Oregonian
PQ Monthly
Forktown Food Tour - Kinsley Suer
Perry-Mansfield New Works Festival - June 2015 with Denver Center Theatre Company
REVIEWS
Portland Monthly
Portland Stage Reviews
Dennis Sparks Reviews
Sip With Me
Byron Beck
Oregon Arts Watch
Artslandia
The Crippled Critic
Hooks and Crooks
PCS Press Release
James Beard On Stage - Portland Monthly
PCS sets the table - The Oregonian
Morning In Depth - KXL FM News (audio)
PCS serves up a taste - The Oregonian
PQ Monthly
Forktown Food Tour - Kinsley Suer
Perry-Mansfield New Works Festival - June 2015 with Denver Center Theatre Company
REVIEWS
Portland Monthly
Portland Stage Reviews
Dennis Sparks Reviews
Sip With Me
Byron Beck
Oregon Arts Watch
Artslandia
The Crippled Critic
Hooks and Crooks
Grant Butler, "a Food and arts writer" at the Oregonian wrote such a snarky review for the show, we decided not to dignify it with inclusion on this site. But we did like two comments posted in response to his review, and thought they deserved a platform.
All photos by Patrick Weishampel