Seoul food or Seoul music? The first non-verbal theatrical event of the season in the vein of Stomp and Blast! plays Boston's Shubert Theatre Sept. 4-23, its North American debut.

The Korean percussion-meets-culinary comedy which started in Seoul in 1997 — and is still running there — has seen the stage in Britain, Germany, Japan, Singapore, Australia and Israel. The national tour begins in Boston. The premise: Four kitchen chefs have only an hour to prepare a meal for a wedding party. To chop down on their preparation time, the foursome use all the utensils possible — and happen to do it in rhythm.

Presented in 90 minutes with no intermission, the production combines elements of music, dance, marital arts, samulnori drumming and slapstick comedy. Marcia Milgrom Dodge has served as creative consultant for the American tour, with Lawrence F. Pisoni pitching in on the show's "circus and comedy" elements, according to spokespersons at Davidson-Choy.

For tickets to Cookin' visit the Shubert Theatre box office at 265 Tremont Street in Boston, MA, call Tele-Charge at (800) 447-7400 or visit them online at www.telecharge.com. From Oct. 9-21, the tour plays at L.A.'s Wadsworth Theatre. For tickets call (213) 365-3500.

— by Ernio Hernandez