Grabbing a bite to eat before the theater is a time-honored tradition; it works especially well when the production’s at a supporter’s home and the meal is prepared by one of Denver’s premier chefs.
Stories on Stage, whose eighth season opens Sept. 7, isn’t your average theater company: Instead of a group of actors performing in a play, Stories on Stage features an individual reading works of literature, usually a short story, to an audience in The Stage theater in the Helen Bonfils Theatre Complex. Readers have included Tony Plana of “Ugly Betty” fame, author-actor-polititian (2006 Green Party candidate for governor of New York) Malachy McCourt and Tony Award-winning actress Judith Ivey.
Stories’ fundraisers are far from the ordinary, too.
They began in June 2005 as a monthly series of dinners prepared by well-known chefs in the homes of Stories on Stage patrons and benefactors. To make them extra-special, readings similar to those presented during the group’s season were added.
The most recent was held earlier this month at board member Jim Neely’s home. Jennifer Jasinski, owner/chef at Rioja and Bistro Vendome, presided in the kitchen.
Passed appetizers — grilled olive and wild mushroom bruschetta, tuna tartare on crispy apple chips and filet of beef crostini with fig jam and gorgonzola — were accompanied by sparkling wine. Then everyone sat down to salads of Hawaiian hearts of palm; salmon with whipped potatoes, spinach and poached lobster ; and chilled s’mores pot de creme that incorporated chocolate custard, house- made graham cracker sticks and bruleed house-made marshmallow.
Guests adjourned to the Neely “theatre,” where Randy Moore of the Denver Center Theatre Company read two short stories selected by his wife, Stories on Stage founder and artistic director Norma Moore: “Franks and Beans” by syndicated columnist Russell Baker, and “Taste,” by Roald Dahl.
Mezzo soprano Marcia Ragonetti was the evening’s co-host and joined Neely in welcoming local mystery writer Linda Berry and husband Jerry; the Moores’ son, Kyle, and his fiancee, Anne; Stories on Stage board members Susan Henderson and husband Jerry, Fern Seltzer and husband Andy Heymsfield, Linda Treibitz and husband Alan, and Les Crispellewith partner Glen Tiedt.Also attending were Drs. Tim Dudley and Lindy Gilchrist; Hanspeter and Kathryn Spuhler; Susan Davies; Nancy and Dr. Les Lockspeiser; Julie and Glenn Morey; Martha Kate Thomas; Herb Poppe; Jane Day; Cyndi Sauvage; Bruce and Shelly Wilhelm; Bonnie Benda; Devra Perch; Teresa Cope; and Martha and James Turner.
Society editor Joanne Davidson: 303-809-1314 or jdavidson@denverpost.com; also, davidson
