Cookin' at the Cookery - Revisited by Debbie Minter Jackson

"There’s always a bit of trepidation when a key cast member steps into a successful show. Audiences wonder how the show will be affected, may have concerns about different interpretations, altering how it’s “supposed” to be. In the case of Jackie Richardson who replaced the “irreplaceable” Earnestine Jackson in Cookin’ at the Cookery, the prep work has already been done because she has already performed the role with the irrepressible Janice Lorraine in Vancouver. While this is a reprise of sorts for them, the change for us is a fresh new experience to be cherished the second time around.

Just when you didn’t think the production could get any better, here comes Richardson who shakes it up with her own mighty gifts, talents and interpretation to the role-and we are all the better for it. If you didn’t catch this stellar production earlier in the run, don’t let it slip away. It is just as much fun the second time around, and Richardson is a major reason why. Her voice and stage presence will blow you away.

Richardson has a particularly effective musical sense that goes beyond belting out the notes. Her whole body seems to breathe the musical tones, and her voice crests and flows with unbelievable crescendo effect. She’s got a hefty bearing that contributes to her no-nonsense stance packaged in a charm-your-socks-off, walloping delivery. Yes, she’s got all the fun-loving facial expressions to relay the message, but there’s something more, a warm accessibility and down-home appeal that makes her rather irresistible. When she refers to the audience lovingly as “children,” she envelops us all as part of the precious few who were fortunate enough to catch Alberta Hunter at the Cookery in New York in Ms Hunter’s unbelievable return-at 82 years old!!"

READ COMPLETE STORY AT DCTHEATRESCENE.COM >

Cookin' at the Cookery Promo

With three weeks remaining, check out MetroStage's latest production...

WETA's Around Town discusses Cookin at the Cookery

Jane Horwitz and Trey Graham discuss this award-winning musical about the life and music of legendary blues and jazz singer Alberta Hunter.

PLAY VIDEO >

Listen to Joel Markowitz's podcast with Jackie & Janice

THE LADIES OF THE COOKERY ARE HAVING A GOOD TIME

There is a new Alberta Hunter in town and Joel was there to greet her. The widely acclaimed Canadian actress and blues songstress, Jackie Richardson, recently stepped into the role of Alberta Hunter in Cookin’ at the Cookery at MetroStage and joins co-star Janice Lorraine in talking about the show and their history of performing it across Canada and the United States.

Joining them is William Knowles on piano as they give us a taste of "Downhearted Blues" and "I’m Having a Good Time". Janice, who plays many roles in the show, gives you an intro to Barney the club manager, young Alberta, Oscar Hammerstein II and her Louis Armstrong that has critics raving.

Get ready for a good time....

OR visit

http://dctheatrescene.com/2008/02/16/the-ladies-of-the-cookery/

Lobby artwork for Cookin' at the Cookery

ALBERTA HUNTER

(April 1, 1895 - October 17, 1984)

Pastel portrait by Zeke Estep

from original photograph

In 1995, Zeke Estep was 22 years old when he was a passenger in a car that was hit head-on by a careless driver. He was in a coma ten days, in the hospital two months and in rehab for two years. He lost the use of his right hand and arm and had a limp plus many other cognitive disabilities. Zeke managed to overcome many of his disabilities and live independently with support from family members.

He learned to draw with his left hand and drew many pastel portraits selling for about $800 each. His artwork gave him alot of pleasure and a sense of fulfillment. He participated in numerous art shows in St. Louis and developed quite a following.

Zeke lived with his brain injury for ten years until he passed away on November 8, 2006, at the age of 32. He is survived by a son, Jaren, who was age 6, plus other family members. His artwork can be viewed on www.artjunkiesgallery.com.

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.

More details about Cookin at the Cookery

The set will be designed by Dale F. Jordan, which has been used for this production at various other theatres around the country and Canada, and it will be adapted for MetroStage's stage. It does a nice job of creating a sense of a New York nightclub a bit past its glory years...

Announcing the cast of Cookin' at the Cookery

Cheryl Alexander (currently in The Women of Brewster Place at Arena Stage) and Janice Lorraine pair up to portray the young and old versions of jazz singer Alberta Hunter, a no-nonsense go-getting jazz singer who rose to stardom from the dive bars of Chicago.

The music will be performed live on stage with stunning jazz vocals. Hunter herself wrote quite a few songs that have become part of the American popular canon – tunes like "My Castle's Rockin'," "Down Hearted Blues" and "I've Got a Mind to Ramble." With this story, you will learn things you likely didn't know about jazz history and have so much fun doing it too!

Marion J. Caffey (3 Mo' Divas, Three Mo' Tenors) wrote the script and will be directing.