THEATRE

The Salem Theatre Company takes you to 1961 Paris for Michael Hollinger’s “comic tragedy in seven courses,” An Empty Plate in the Café du Grand Boeuf from December 1-17.

The staff of the Café du Grand Boeuf, the world’s greatest restaurant, anxiously awaits the imminent arrival of Victor, the Café's owner and sole patron. But when "Monsieur" returns from the Madrid bullfights, disheveled and morose, his wish is simple: to die of starvation at his own table. The frantic staff, whose very lives depend on Victor's appetite, try all means to change his mind. Finally, they make a last-ditch effort: to prepare one final meal, but leave it entirely in the kitchen. Instead they will describe it, course by course, over a series of empty platters. The "feast of adjectives and adverbs" begins, celebrating the joys of cooking, sex, bullfighting and the collected works of Ernest Hemingway.

The production is directed by Gary LaParl and features Andrew Winson, Dann Anthony Maurno, Emma Cavaliere, Brian Casey, and Sara Shea Maurno, all of Salem, and Sebastian Konarski of Middleton. Mitch Kyle of Salem is Stage Manager. Designers include Ryan Kasle (lighting), and Nathan Bertone (set) of Salem and John Fogle (sound, producer) of Marblehead.

The production runs December 1-17, Wednesdays through Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 3:00 p.m. at the Salem Theatre Company at 90 Lafayette Street, Salem. Tickets are available online at www.salemtheatre.com or can be reserved for pick up at the box office by calling 978-790-8546 or emailing info@salemtheatre.com. Online ticketing ends 24 hours in advance of each performance. Pay by cash or check at the door and get $3 off your ticket price. Regular ticket prices are $22 for adults, $18 for seniors, and $12 for students.

An Empty Plate in the Café du Grand Boeuf is sponsored by Kimberley Driscoll and The Salem Five Charitable Foundation.