
Here in his home base of Chicago, everyone knows Rick Bayless as the creator of and driving force behind three of the city’s most in-demand eateries – Frontera Grill, Topolobampo and Xoco, a Mexican trifecta that generates lines of hungry hopefuls on several streets in the River North neighborhood every day. Outside of Illinois, meanwhile, foodies all over the world know him as the tour guide for Mexico: One Plate at a Time on PBS and the winner of the Bravo competition Top Chef Masters.
What nobody knows Bayless as – for now, at least – is a stage actor. But that’s set to change this week when he teams up with one of the city’s most imaginative theatrical troupes in the Lookingglass Theater production Rick Bayless in Cascabel, starring the celebrity chef as the singing, dancing and, yes, cooking main character. With a love story and acrobats and on-stage food preparation (ticket prices include the full meal from the play), this unusual stew of sights, sounds and tastes is unlike anything that’s been attempted in a Chicago theater.
Will it work? As anyone who has tasted the man’s cooking can attest, it’s tough to bet against Bayless.
March 24 through April 22 at Lookingglass Theatre, 821 N. Michigan Avenue. Call 312/337-0665 for ticket information and availability.
What nobody knows Bayless as – for now, at least – is a stage actor. But that’s set to change this week when he teams up with one of the city’s most imaginative theatrical troupes in the Lookingglass Theater production Rick Bayless in Cascabel, starring the celebrity chef as the singing, dancing and, yes, cooking main character. With a love story and acrobats and on-stage food preparation (ticket prices include the full meal from the play), this unusual stew of sights, sounds and tastes is unlike anything that’s been attempted in a Chicago theater.
Will it work? As anyone who has tasted the man’s cooking can attest, it’s tough to bet against Bayless.
March 24 through April 22 at Lookingglass Theatre, 821 N. Michigan Avenue. Call 312/337-0665 for ticket information and availability.