Sunday Suppers Sobremesa

Sobremesa is a new series launched by Sunday Suppers in which hosts around the world have their own dinners in their homes/studios/locations. The concept is to celebrate community and food — and a portion of the proceeds from each dinner will go to The Hunger Project, a global program based on an innovative, holistic approach, which empowers women and men living in rural villages to become the agents of their own development and make sustainable progress in overcoming hunger and poverty.

For our spring 2019 sobremesa, we were joined in the kitchen by Aubrey Devin, Michael J Spear, Steve and Mary Jo Hoffman and Liz’s dad, Jim.

BOSTON MARRIAGE.

BOSTON MARRIAGE

by David Mamet
directed by Grant Sorenson

A hilarious, glittering gem of a play, Boston Marriage concerns itself with Anna and Claire, two ladies of leisure in turn-of-the-century America. Situated in a “Boston Marriage,” the colloquial term for two women who lived together independent of men, Anna and Claire are former lovers and unconventional friends. When the two become embroiled in a scandal involving a priceless emerald necklace and interlocking love triangles, they must hatch a plan to resolve the situation without exposing their true identities. Add in a much-abused Irish (or Scottish?) maid, a last minute séance, and far too much chintz. The result is a frothy and agile comedy of manners that delights and surprises.

Boston Marriage, Mamet's brilliant Sapphic comedy of manners, had its premiere at the Hasty Pudding Theater, produced by A.R.T. in 1999. It made its West End and Off-Broadway premieres in 2002. First seen in Minneapolis at the Guthrie in 2004, Boston Marriage returns to the Twin Cities in a fresh, new staging at Maison Bodega, a 100 year old mansion on Pleasant Avenue.

Grant and Arrow Theater, consisting of Michelle O’Neill, Christine Weber and Miriam Schwartz, put on an incredible eight shows with 40 guests.

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While researching the history of the house, we found a handful of newspaper articles on the art, music and theater events that we hosted at #maisonbodega. In efforts to continue the cultural history of Pleasant Ave., we opened our home to director Grant Sorenson, who produced David Mamet’s Boston Marriage.

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* indicates a member of Actors' Equity Association

Michelle O'Neill

THEATER Guthrie Theater: The Royal Family, The Crucible, Skiing on Broken Glass, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Much Ado About Nothing, The Winter’s Tale, Macbeth, The Intelligent Homosexual…, Peer Gynt, The Merchant of Venice, Intimate Apparel. Broadway: The Heiress, Abe Lincoln in Illinois; Shakespeare Theatre; Jersey Shakespeare Festival; Ahmanson Theatre; Indiana Rep; Sundance Playwrights Lab; Jungle Theater; New Epic Theater. FILM/TELEVISION The Devil’s Own, The Pelican Brief, Parade, Older Than America, Hap and Ashley, “Third Watch,” “Under One Roof.” TEACHINGUniversity of Minnesota. TRAINING Juilliard School

Christine Weber

THEATER Guthrie Theater: Pride and Prejudice, The Winter's Tale,A Christmas Carol, Romeo and Juliet (co-produced with The Acting Company), When We Are Married, The Merchant of Venice; University of Minnesota/Guthrie Theater B.F.A. Actor Training Program: When I Was a Ghost; Jungle Theater: Little Women; Idaho Shakespeare Festival, Great Lakes Theater Festival and Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival: Twelfth Night, My Fair Lady, Love's Labour's Lost, As You Like It; Aquila Morong Studio; Walking Shadow Theatre Company; Theatre L'Homme Dieu; Children's Theatre Company. THEATER DIRECTION (selected): LOFTrecital: Images of Akhmatova; Laughing Wild Productions: Tigers Be Still, Wannsee (workshop); Artistry: Striking 12. TRAINING University of Minnesota/Guthrie Theater B.F.A. Actor Training Program

Miriam Schwartz

THEATER Guthrie Theater: Indecent, Born Yesterday; Minnesota Jewish Theatre: Church and State, DAI (Enough), Jericho, Bad Jews, Becoming Dr. Ruth, Handle With Care; Prime Productions: Little Wars; Workhaus Collective: Homegrown, The Hollow; Theatre Forever: The Brutes. TELEVISION “The Sealed Order of Liv Ullmann” (HBO, Master Class), “Biz Kid$” (PBS). TRAINING B.F.A., University of Minnesota/Guthrie Theater Actor Training Program

Grant Sorenson

THEATER DIRECTION Arrow Theater: Vincent River; 7th House Theater: The Great Work, Little Shop of Horrors; Theater Latte Da: Cabaret, Aida; Minnesota Fringe Festival: Spring Awakening. AS ACTOR Guthrie Theater; Theater Latte Da; 7th House Theater; Children's Theatre Company; Yellow Tree Theater; Frank Theater; New Epic Theater; The Playwright's Center. AWARDS 2016 Ivey Award, Now or Later. TRAINING University of Minnesota - Twin Cities.

FIELD EXPERIENCE: PLANT CLIPPING EXCHANGE

Propagate: A Plant Clipping Exchange was a collaboration with Julka Almquist and her organization Field Experience. →

Each guest was tasked with bringing at least one cutting (or as many as you like) from their favorite plants to share with others. A Master Gardener from the University of Minnesota was onsite, to help with an propagation questions. Each person also brought a story behind each clipping which made for a very fun conversation.

SUMMER SOBREMESA with SUNDAY SUPPERS

It took us a few days to process the significance of #sobremesabysundaysuppers. The maiden voyage of our #maisonbodega — this time together was warm, wonderful and human, all the things we hoped to create when we started on our journey of restoring the neglected but extremely special space.

Thanks to @sundaysuppers for allowing us the chance to share your beautiful vision for Sobremesa* and to our amazing friends @maryjohoffman @fancyjanssey @vgirasol @norse_electric @thefoundryhomegoods @retrowanderlust @dustandform @farnorthspirits and Jim + Billie Nelson who made it magical. ✨✨✨.

ABOUT THE MEAL | Designed by Sunday Suppers, our Summer menu is inspired by the season’s bounty. Markets bloom with vibrant greens, berries, tomatoes and stone fruits and warmth surrounds us. In the kitchen, we reach for flavorful ingredients that mimic the intensity of summer — but also for cooling elements to cleanse the palette and refresh. This meal is inspired by the vibrant colors of the season, heat, balance, beauty, taste and our favorite foods to share.

*Sobremesa (n.)

— the time after a meal when the food is gone, but the conversation around the table continues.

Tied Together: AIGA Luncheon Series

We are so honored and excited to be speaking at this summer's AIGA Luncheon Lecture Series. Josef, Liz and Marty (Josef's Dad) will be speaking about family ties and their influence on creativity. Other speakers in this series:

• Heather Olson and her daughter Leslie Olson / Monday June 19th at Surly Brewing.
• Joe Sr. and Joseph Duffy / Wednesday July 26th at Day Block Brewing
• We are up August 24th at Eat Street Social!
   

Click here for tickets and more info.