Just desserts By MICHAEL SMITH World Scene Writer 9/29/2004 Existential comedy ponders emptiness, fullness -- in the kitchen Frank Gallagher has been directing plays for many years, but "An Empty Plate in the Cafe du Grand Boeuf" will be his first time to helm a Heller Theater production since joining its staff. He makes a bold statement about this gastronomic amusement that's described as a "comic tragedy in seven courses," celebrating the joys of cooking, sex, bullfighting and the collected works of Ernest Hemingway.

Antoine (Bryan Reed, left) and Claude (Jamie Vanoy) are funny food servers in“An Empty Plate in the Cafe Grand du Boeuf” at Heller Theater. STEPHEN HOLMAN / Tulsa World

"This is one of the few plays that I've laughed out loud reading it the first time," Gallagher said. "Some plays have funny characters. Some plays have funny dialogue. Some plays have funny situations. This play has all three."
There's no menu needed at the world's greatest restaurant in playwright Michael Hollinger's work. The staff can prepare anything for Victor, a wealthy American gourmet who owns the eatery and is its sole patron.

But as he returns from the bullfights in Madrid on this hot summer night an emotional wreck, he has an announcement: He wishes to die of starvation at his private table.

The funny situation commences thanks to the cafe's staff. They are frantic at this declaration, as their very livelihoods depend on Victor's appetite. But they have a plan to fight this suicidal hunger strike.

They convince Victor (Brian Rattlingourd) to allow them to prepare one final meal -- provided they leave it in the kitchen -- out of respect for their life's work. Rather, they will describe the meal to him in a "feast of adjectives and adverbs."

Jamie Vanoy, Julie Tattershall, Tara Treiber, Nate Gavin and Bryan Reed portray the funny food servers who have ample physical comedy opportunities in what the director defines as an existentialist comedy.

"It's a funny look at the fact that life isn't always funny," said Gallagher, who then made a bold prediction. "But this is funny. I think it's going to be hysterical. People are going to be laughing their elbows off.

"Life doesn't always go the way we want. There's sadness, there's despair. The play sets up some choices. One choice is 'What's the point of living?' while another choice is summed up in my favorite line from the play: 'There's so little music as it is, just dance to the music you get.' "

Not that any of this information in any sense gives away the surprising conclusion, said the director, who's enjoying the chance to direct Tattershall -- Heller's artistic director and Gallagher's boss.

"Julie is a firecracker, and we don't see near enough of her on stage," he said. "She's the best person I've ever worked for. She's so supportive, and she gives you so much freedom. It's interesting to be her director on stage, but there's never a moment of awkwardness. We're just there to do our jobs."

Michael Smith 581-8334
michael.smith@tulsaworld.com

Preview
“AN EMPTY PLATE IN THE CAFE DU GRAND BOEUF”
Who:Heller Theater
When: 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday; also 8 p.m. Oct. 7-9
Where:Heller Theater, 5328 S. Wheeling Ave.
Tickets:$5-$7, reservations by calling 746-5065