Round House Theatre Presents I LOVE TO EAT, Now thru 11/4

Round House Theatre continues its 2012/13 season with the regional premiere of I Love to Eat by James Still, which runs tonight, October 17 thru November 4. Leon Major directs this look at the delightfully zesty life of renowned chef James Beard. Nick Olcott portrays the culinary maestro described as "the face and belly of American gastronomy." Opening night is Monday, October 22, 2012.

Before Julia Child, Emeril, and the Food Network, there was television's first chef, James Beard, who brought fine cooking (and his jolly presence) to the small screen in 1946. The author of 20-plus cookbooks, he helped establish an American cuisine. This portrait of America's first foodie gives an intimate, delicious look at a man who exuberantly embraced every aspect of life – but may have wanted too much. Julia Child once described James Beard as "endearing and always lively…[he] loved people, loved his work, loved gossip, loved to eat, loved a good time."

Ryan Rilette, Round House's Producing Artistic Director, said, "We're thrilled to bring celebrated actor and long-time Round House collaborator Nick Olcott back to the stage for this delightful portrait of one of America's best known chefs."

I LOVE TO EAT, written by James Still and directed by Leon Major will feature Nick Olcott as James Beard.

Creative team: scenic designer Misha Kachman, costume designer Frank Labovitz, lighting designer Kristin Thompson, sound designer Matthew M. Nielson, props master Andrea Moore, stage manager Che Wernsman

I Love to Eat runs tonight, October 17 thru November 4, 2012 with performances on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at 7:30pm, Friday and Saturday begin at 8pm; and matinees on Saturday and Sunday beginning at 3pm. Opening night is Monday, October 22. Please note: there is no performance on Tuesday, October 23, 2012.

Tickets range in price from $10 to $61 and may be purchased by calling 240.644.1100, online at www.roundhousetheatre.org, or at Round House's box office in Bethesda. Round House Theatre Bethesda is located at 4545 East-West Highway, one block from Wisconsin Avenue and the Bethesda station on Metro's Red Line. I Love to Eat is recommended for age 15 and above.

AUDIENCE EVENTS

Designer Discussion (with the costume, set, lighting, and sound designers): Wednesday, October 17 at 6:45pm

Director Discussion (with Leon Major): Friday, October 19 at 7:15pm

Audio-described performance: Saturday, October 27 at 3pm

Post-Show Talkbacks: Wednesday, October 17 thru Sunday, October 21, Sunday, October 28, and Sunday, November 4

Parents' Matinee: Sunday, October 28 at 3pm. Patrons can drop off children (ages 3-12, must be potty trained) to an RHT teaching artist while they're seeing the show at this designated Sunday matinee. The kids enjoy a fun-filled afternoon of theatre games and arts activities. Childcare reservations are required in advance by 5pm on October 24 by calling 240.644.1100.

Sign-interpreted performance: Saturday, November 3 at 3pm. Reservations for sign interpreting services must be made by October 20.

BIOS

James Still (Playwright) A playwright and director, James Still's plays are notably diverse in form, style and substance and have been performed in leading theatres across the United States as well as Canada, Europe, Japan, and Australia. These include The Heavens are Hung in Black which reopened Ford's Theatre in celebration of Abraham Lincoln's 200th birthday; Iron Kisses; and The Velvet Rut. His plays for young audiences and families have graced the stages of America's most notable youth theatres and countless community, university, and high school theatres and include his docudrama And Then They Came for Me: Remembering the World of Anne Frank which has been translated into several languages and continues to be produced around the world. His plays have been commissioned from many notable theatres including Indiana Repertory Theatre, People's Light & Theatre Company, Cornerstone Theatre Company, the Kennedy Center, and The Children's Theatre Company. His awards, among them The Charlotte B. Chorpenning Cup for Distinguished Body of Work, the William Inge/Otis Guernsey New Voices Award, two Pulitzer Prize nominations, and election into The National Theatre Conference, are numerous and far ranging. Still also writes extensively for film and television, most notably in children's television for which he is a five-time Emmy nominee for such shows as Maurice Sendak's "Little Bear," Bill Cosby's "Little Bill," and the innovative pre-school series "Paz" for Discovery Kids. His artistic home for the past twelve years has been the Indiana Repertory Theatre where he is the Playwright in Residence. IRT's 2012/13 season includes the world premiere of his new play, The House That Jack Built.