Published: May 21, 2009 08:15 pm      

Dinner theater comes to Cumberland County

DSquared Productions announces a first for the company. It is teaming up with Fat Chef Cafe (25 Peavine Plaza, approximately 4 miles north of l-40 exit 322 on the right toward Fairfield Glade) for a dinner theater presentation every Monday and Tuesday in June at 6 p.m.

Patty Payne, a DSquared company member, has been looking for a dinner theater production for some time and has found the ideal show to perform at the Fat Chef Cafe, owned by her brother, Jerry Payne. "Barbara's Blue Kitchen," a comedy with music by Lori Fischer, who wrote the book, music, and lyrics, takes place in a small diner in Watertown, TN one summer day from open to close.

Originally written as a tour de force for the author, DSquared's production of "Barbara's Blue Kitchen" will expand the cast to include some of their most talented performers. Rusty McClanahan will play Dickie Brian Hull, the wacky disc jockey at radio station WATR, "where all the songs are original and all the folks listening are one of a kind." His original country flavor songs and commercials include such titles as "Love is Slippery," "I Want My Kidney Back" and "God Allows U-turns."

There's Barbara Jean, played by Patty Payne, who owns her own diner and worries about her bald spot. Patty also plays Jeanette, her new inept waitress who only wants to sell Tupperware and has been Barbara Jean's pen pal since childhood; and Melissa, Barbara Jean's sister, mother of three boys whose husband recently left her.

Pat Kelly will play the roles of Tessie, a lovable senior citizen from the Happiness Home across the street, and Miss Morris, a nurse who is planning a trip to see the pyramids. Other diner characters include Tommy Lee, Melissa's 8-year-old son who has just been bitten by his dog Killer, and Lombardo, the Italian owner of Lombardo's Beauty Emporium who wants to be a country singer and is Barbara Jean's love interest. Both of these roles will be played by Dennis Donald.

Pat, Dennis and Patty will lend their voices to more songs including "Love Coming Through," "Blue Winged Butterfly," "Can You Hear Me?" and "Mom Doesn't Know It." The production will be directed by Patty Payne with musical direction by Rhonda Wallace.

Tickets for "Barbara's Blue Kitchen" are $25 which includes dinner, a choice of beverage, dessert, show, and tax (tip not included) and may be purchased only at the Fat Chef Cafe (456-8171). Reservations are required — Patty or Alice Payne will be at the Fat Chef to take reservations Wednesdays through Saturdays from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m.

Come be surprised by the fun and quirky characters of "Barbara's Blue Kitchen" every Monday and Tuesday in June at 6 p.m. at the Fat Chef Cafe on Peavine Road.