Dinner For One is a Feast of Laughs at Jungle Theater

Dinner For One is a throwback to a simpler time and style of humor but one that is essentially timeless. Based on a 12 minute sketch written by Lauri Wylie in the 1920’s, Jungle Theater presents this expanded variation co-created by Jungle Theater Artistic Director Christina Baldwin, who directs the production, and it’s two performers Sun Mee Chomet and Jim Lichtscheidl. Like the great silent comedies of the early 20th century, the humor of the piece builds one reveal after another. Each action building on the previous, every routine established has a new curve thrown at it the next time around. Just when it has gotten to a level of hilarity that you start to anticipate the next leap, it changes directions and makes you feel things. We don’t often see shows like this anymore, the closest thing folks of my generation might compare it to is the old Carol Burnett Show. At least aside from the old slapstick films of Keaton and Chaplin, that’s where my mind went.

The show was built through the creators workshoping it, improvising and leaving themselves open to discover where it could go. That sort of creative freedom for performers is a rare thing to actually be in on creating and building the story once beat at a time. Speaking of beats, the music plays a key role. Musical Director Emilia Mettenbrink was involved from the beginning of the workshopping which is evident by integral relationship between movement and music. Sun Mee Chomet plays Miss Sophie, a woman who is grieving a loss and Jim Lichtscheidl is her servant James who tries to get her to engage with life. After a short scene that sets up Sophie’s refusal to celebrate her Birthday and New Years Eve, we get several quicktime jumps that show her each year going a little further in celebrating again. Then we get a 20 year time jump and there is an established routine that seems to reenact her last birthday before the loss. James not only acts as servant but each party guest as well, really to say any more about what transpires would be to rob you of the joy of discovery. What I can say, these are clearly two performers who were made for these roles. Chomet brings a body language and vocalization to her role that is adorably eccentric. Lichtscheidl is a master physical comedian and wonderful at creating a sense of devotion that shines through even when James is exasperated.

Baldwin’s Direction is flawless from the dialogue free prologues through to James’ interactions with the chef (offstage accept for an arm) and the Musicians. The Musicians can be seen through a frame in the set which is a wonderful dining room scene and staircase down which miss Sophie can descend and retreat. Designed by Eli Sherlock it has a mixture of reality and abstractness that matches the action of the show which is dealing with a real dinner and some real emotions but acted out with a surreal sense of humor. The floor is covered in oriental rugs and the entire set is draped with gorgeous red curtains. Hanging on the invisible walls are picture frames with nothing in them. So much care has gone into every aspect of this production including the lighting design by Marcus Dilliard who adds a touch of magic to the proceedings. The costumes by Ora Jewell-Busche are wonderful, particularly Miss Sophie’s gown with an unwieldy train. Jaime Lupercio’s sound design plays an important role during a stylistic reversal. It’s the rare show where you really want to call out the Stage Manager and Properties Master but this is one where John Novak really makes you appreciate that role given how precise each prop has to be and that a million different things need to be exactly where they are at every moment.

Dinner for One is simply adorable and runs through December 31st at Jungle Theater in Uptown for more information and to purchase tickets go to https://www.jungletheater.org/dinner-for-one

This Holiday season why not start a new tradition of taking in a live theater production with family and friends? It’s a great way to create lasting memories and will give you something to look forward to every year as you experience the magic of live theater. Whether your budget is large or small, there is a show for you. Looking for gift ideas? Don’t we all have enough “stuff”? Give the gift of live theater, go to your favorite theaters website, see what shows they have coming up in the new year and give the gift of an experience over material.

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