On Sunday, November 23rd, this journalist had privileged opportunity to review “Pop Up Dinner Theater” by Suite 524, which was performed at Barlume in Manhattan.
LDV Hospitality and Barlume presented Suite 524’s “Pop Up Dinner Theater, which was directed by a sound artist, director, playwright and performer Michael Domitrovich.
Suite 524 is a New York–based nonprofit theater studio whose mission is to preserve the power of live performance in the age of AI (artificial intelligence). Co-founder Mateo d’Amato was the exceptional emcee of the afternoon, whose acting ran the gamut (he was witty, graceful, and emotional, all in one).
The show opened with “The Cowboy” play by Michael Sharp. It featured memorable performances by such actors as Brian Reese, Drew Valine, a charming Chris Gray, Paulina Singer, Michaela Lind, and Nikki Valdez. In this act, Michaela Lind’s character is a revelation.
It as followed by “Peekos at Barlume,” which featured an incredible dialogue-heavy performance between Sharon Ullrick and Drew Valins (who played her son in this short play) that was pure comedy.
“Fine Dining” was another noteworthy act (written by Eduardo Machado) that featured four friends in a restaurant together (served by Mateo d’Amato as the waiter)… that were invited by a superb Nikki Valdez. It is neat to watch each of them (Michaela Lind, Chris Gray, and a hilarious Ellis Charles Hoffmeister) leave one by one as they butt heads with Valdez’s character.
It concluded on a fitting note with “See the Forest” by director Michael Domitrovich, where veteran playwright and actor Eduardo Machado stole the show. His moving scene with d’Amato’s character certainly tugged at the heartstrings. Paulina Singer was simply irresistible as the seating hostess.
Every single actor in this diverse and gifted cast was special and impressive, and they all helped elevate this show to a higher level. The “Pop Up Dinner Theater” has a distinct concept to it, and hopefully, there will be more shows of this caliber in the future. In various instances, the Barlume audience felt like they were a part of each of these four unique plays. Bravo!
Equally funny was the youthful “Fine Dining” by Eduardo Machado and it closed with “See the Forest” by Domitrovich, whose subject matter is timely and relevant especially in this digital age.
This experience was so immersive and clever to the point where the audience felt like they were a part of each of the four plays that were performed, and at the same time, it felt like they were transported to a different time zone.
To learn more about “Pop Up Dinner Theater,” click here.
The Verdict
Overall, Suite 524’s “Pop Up Dinner Theater” was thoroughly entertaining. It managed to reinvigorate the forms of pop-up restaurants and dinner theater, thus providing a sense of satisfaction, entertainment and catharsis.
With Mateo d’Amato as the emcee, it felt like watching a play version of “Cabaret” all over again, and he was our Eddie Redmayne.
Most importantly, it underscores the power, escape and transformation of what happens when people get together in the same space to eat quality food and watch new plays because live theatre should be a shared experience.
Hopefully, “Pop Up Dinner Theater” sets a precedent and stage shows adapt this model and format for their future productions.
“Pop Up Dinner Theater” at Barlume garners two giant thumbs up. Well done.
