Seared is a dramatic stage play by American playwright Theresa Rebeck set in a restaurant kitchen. Its world premiere was held at the San Francisco Playhouse in 2016, before premiering Off-Broadway in 2019 at MCC Theatre.
Plot The play is set in the kitchen of a struggling restaurant, as the protagonist Harry meets a clash of wills in this drama of ideology versus money with his brother. Harry is chef who takes great pride in his cooking, working at a restaurant that is finally starting to see some success. When his business partner Mike brings in an outside consultant to help with the business, Harry finds the change more than he can handle.
Production history 2016 San Francisco premiere The play had its world premiere at the San Francisco Playhouse in 2019, directed by Margarett Perry. Running from September 27 through November 12, 2016, the production starred Brian Dykstra as Harry, Rod Gnapp as Mike, Alex Sunderhaus as Emily and Larry Powell as Rodney.
2019 Off-Broadway production The play was next produced Off-Broadway in 2021 at MCC Theatre, starring Raúl Esparza as Harry, David Mason as Mike, Krysta Rodriguez as Emily and W. Tré Davis as Rodney and ran from October 3 through December 22, 2019 after being extended.
In 2020, the Off-Broadway production was honored in four Outer Critics Circle Awards categories, including for Outstanding New Off-Broadway Play, along with nominations for two Lucille Lortel Awards, two Drama League Awards and a Drama Desk Award for Esparza.
Cast and characters CharacterSan Francisco 2016Off-Broadway 2019HarryBrian DykstraRaúl EsparzaMikeRod GnappDavid MasonEmilyAlex SunderhausKrysta RodriguezRodneyLarry PowellW. Tré Davis
Critical reception Seared got positive reviews as the San Francisco Chronicle called it 'culinary drama done to perfection', praising the director and cast performance.
Mercury News had reviewed the play as being 'packed with clever dialogue...and a genuine love of food'. Their critic said that the play was much simpler in plot than Rebeck's other work, with no secrets or plot twists and no attempt to show the characters' lives outside work, despite clever dialog about the nature of authenticity and tension about whether the chef Harry will agree to changes.
Theatre Dogs gave it a glowing review, saying that "Seared turns out to be not unlike the dishes its chef creates: artfully made, crafted with the best possible ingredients and served with confident flair. That it’s so delicious and deeply satisfying makes it the haute cuisine of contemporary drama."
Awards and nominations 2019 Off-Broadway production YearAwardCategoryWorkResultRef.2020Drama Desk AwardOutstanding Actor in a PlayRaúl EsparzaOuter Critics Circle AwardOutstanding New Off-Broadway PlayOutstanding Actor in a PlayRaúl EsparzaOutstanding Featured Actress in a PlayKrysta RodriguezOutstanding Scenic DesignTim MackabeeDrama League AwardOutstanding Production of a PlayDistinguished PerformanceRaúl EsparzaLucille Lortel AwardOutstanding Lead Actor in a PlayOutstanding Scenic DesignTim Mackabee
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