Lookingglass Theatre Extends CASCABEL Through April 29

Lookingglass Theatre, Frontera Grill and Silverguy Entertainment announce additional performances of Rick Bayless in Cascabel: Dinner – Daring – Desire, a theatrical adventure featuring a feast, circus acts, and a love story starring celebrity chef Rick Bayless. The culinary and theatrical experience has been extended an additional week, through April 29, 2012, at Lookingglass Theatre Company, located inside Chicago's historic Water Tower Water Works.

Currently, only a total of 200 seats remain.  Tickets are available for performances during the extension week (April 24-29), April 8 (Easter) and Tuesday, April 17.  Lookingglass will be tweeting about last minute availability on a daily basis, @gglasstheatre.  Tickets are available online, www.lookingglasstheatre.org; by phone, (312) 337-0665; or at the Lookingglass Theatre box office, located inside Chicago's historic Water Tower Water Works, 821 N. Michigan Ave. at Pearson.  For more information and box office hours, visit www.lookingglasstheatre.org.

In this sensual tale of love and hunger, the audience will join the guests of the boardinghouse Cascabel at their courtyard table where they will enjoy the same meal the Chef is preparing for the boarding house. From his meager kitchen, the mysterious new cook conjures an enchanting cuisine, which seems to give those who eat it fantastic and magical abilities. But he is singularly focused on the proprietress of the house, a melancholy woman with no interest in his food, who barely ever leaves her room. Will she ever try a bite? And what will happen if she does? 

"In Rick Bayless, Lookingglass has found a kindred spirit who loves adventure every bit as much as we do – and nothing could be more adventurous than combining theater, circus, and dinner in this way that has, literally, never been done before, says Artistic Director Andy White.  "Like many Lookingglass shows, this will be an evening that celebrates discovery, as a new cook arrives at a boardinghouse, and his recipes soon have a transformative effect on the lovelorn owner and her eclectic guests. This production will be a total feast for the senses, providing a combination of spectacle, athleticism, music, dancing, circus – and, oh yes, the best aromas and tastes that the brain can conceive or the body enjoy."

Cascabel features Rick Bayless (Cook), Artistic Associate Tony Hernandez (Houseboy), Ensemble Member Thomas J. Cox (Suitor), Carlos Basile (Musician), Nicolas Besnard (Solitary Traveler), Shenea Booth (Solitary Traveler), Anne Goldmann (Gardener's Wife), Chiara Mangiameli (Señora), Lindsey Noel Whiting (Daughter), Jesse Perez (Maitre'D), Alexandra Pivaral (Bathing Chica), and JoNathan Taylor (Gardener).

Designers include Artistic Associates Andre Pleuss and Rick Sims (Co-Composers & Sound Designers); Ensemble Member Mara Blumfield and  Lijana Wallenda Hernandez (Co-Costume Designers); Production Affiliate Brian Bembridge (Scenic & Lighting Design); Maria DeFabo (Properties Designer); and Lee Brausell (Rigging Designer). The Dance Choreographer is Emilee Peterson. The Production Stage Manager is Rose Marie Packer.

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