AUDIENCE FEEDBACK

• “[Cookin' at the Cookery] was just wonderful. Both stars have excellent voices and did a great job of acting. This is theater at it's best. I encourage anybody that can to see this fabulous show.” -Sandy P


• “When I used to live in New York City, I had the privilege of seeing the real Alberta Hunter perform at the Cookery in Village, so I was very excited about seeing this production. The two actresses/singers were delightfully engaging and had the audience in the palms of their respective hands within minutes of their first entrances. The talented musical combo provided accompaniment which was jazzy and infectious. The narrative gave us some unknown insights into the life of this amazing woman and moved the story along at just the right pace. The intimate atmosphere of this theatre enhanced the feeling that the audience was included in the action. The audience I was with was fully engaged in the production, clapped and sang along on occasion, and were obviously having a great time. This is a crowd-pleaser not to be missed!”


• “Cookin’ was GREAT!! The music, the actresses (they were really "into it" —especially the pianist)… Their delivery, poise, warmth, intensity, etc. were SPECTACULAR! The gift of being able to portray several characters "at the drop of a hat" (voice, facial expressions, walk, etc.) was SPELL-BOUNDING! Plus to learn so much about Ms. Hunter - WOW!!!”


• “Not to be missed. Wonderful story and music. Besides that — only two women carry the whole show and they are stupendous!”


• “MetroStage always produces quality and entertaining theatre… the staff is friendly and professional and the productions are always interesting and thought provoking.”

Casting change for Cookin' at the Cookery

Due to an unexpected scheduling conflict that arose, the role of "Older Alberta" will now be played by two actresses who have done this role previously. We are grateful they were available.

The role of "Older Alberta" will be portrayed by Ernestine Jackson for the first two weeks.

CLICK HERE to read the biography of Ms. Jackson>

Jackie Richardson will assume the role beginning February 7th.

Born in Pittsburg, PA, Jackie moved to Toronto when she was very young. She began her career at the age of 7 singing in her church choir. She has acted in film, television and theater with roles in No! No! Nanette, Anything Goes, Hello Dolly! and Raisin in the Sun. She became well known for her part in Ain't Misbehavin', which earned her a Dora Award.

She has toured across Canada and the world performing with renowned artists such as Ray Charles, Anne Murray, Dr. John and Celine Dion to name a few. In 2003, Jackie's debut CD, "A Woman's View Through a Child's Eye" was released. The album is an experience of soul, a profoundly personal synthesis of the remarkable gospel, blues and jazz woman she has embodied on stage and screen.

Ms. Richardson is the 2004 Dora Mavor Moore Winner for Best Female Principal Role in Cookin' at the Cookery. She has received Gemini, Dora, Juno, Jessie, Betty, Toronto Blues Society and NAACP Award nominations.

Area premiere of Marion J. Caffey’s Cookin’ at the Cookery at MetroStage January 24- March 9

Producing Artistic Director Carolyn Griffin is pleased to announce that the area premiere of Marion J. Caffey’s Cookin’ at the Cookery, (The Music and Times of Alberta Hunter, Told in the Key of the Blues), will be in performance at MetroStage January 24-March 9, 2008. Written by Marion J. Caffey after being inspired by Alberta Hunter’s story as told in a film documentary entitled My Castle’s Rockin’, Caffey will direct and choreograph this production. Danny Holgate is the musical supervisor and arranger and William Knowles is the music director. Cheryl Alexander will play Alberta Hunter and Janice Lorraine will play younger Alberta and multiple roles.

The world premiere of Cookin’ at the Cookery was at the Hippodrome State Theater in Gainesville Florida in 1997. Since then it has been produced in 36 theatres and toured multiple cities, garnering many nominations and awards in the U.S. and Canada. It has broken box office records at the GEVA Theatre in Rochester, NY and at the Studio Arena Theatre in Buffalo as well as at CanStage in Toronto. It was most recently seen at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark, with Janice Lorraine.

Marion J. Caffey began as a song and dance man before becoming a writer and director. Three Mo’ Divas was his last work seen in Washington at Arena Stage, receiving multiple Helen Hayes nominations. His production of Three Mo’ Tenors just completed a limited run in New York at the Little Shubert Theatre. Music Director William Knowles has been seen and heard at MetroStage in productions of The All Night Strut, Nat King Cole, King of Cool, and Ellington: Life and Music of the Duke. He received the Helen Hayes Award for Dinah Was (Arena Stage) and was nominated for Tambourines To Glory (Lincoln Theatre).

Playing Alberta Hunter, Cheryl Alexander was most recently seen in Arena Stage’s Women of Brewster Place. She has performed with many big bands and orchestras including the Duke Ellington Orchestra and the Billy Taylor Big Band. On Broadway she has performed in Caroline or Change, Sophisticated Ladies, Dreamgirls and many others. This is her first appearance as Alberta inCookin’ at the Cookery.

Janice Lorraine, playing multiple roles including the young Alberta, has lost count of how many times she has performed this role. For the role she has received the Beverly Hills/Hollywood NAACP Theatre Award, Chicago’s Black Theatre Alliance Award, and many more nominations. Broadway credits include Ragtime, Grease, Jelly’s Last Jam, Starlight Express, Dreamgirls and many more.

Designers are Dale Jordan, set and lights; Marilyn Wall, costumes, Bettie O. Rogers, wigs; all of whom are part of Caffey’s design team for Cookin’ at the Cookery. Jordan and Wall have both received nominations and awards for their work on this show. Kevin Laughon is production manager and scenic painter. Jessica Winfield is the Equity Stage Manager and Dannielle Hutchinson is Assistant Stage Manager.

Cookin" at the Cookery is in performance January 24 thru March 9, 2008 - Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm, Sundays at 7pm, with matinees on both Saturdays and Sundays at 3pm. Tickets are $35-40 and can be ordered through boxofficetickets.com at 800-494-8497. For group rates and information call 703-548-9044. MetroStage offers free parking and is fully accessible.

Press night is Saturday, January 26 at 8pm.