Although the one-year milestone landed on March 7, the troupe will gather after the March 9 performance to raise a glass. Conceived and directed by Seung Whan Song, Cookin' officially opened on March 7, 2004.
"Staged in a restaurant kitchen, Cookin' is a hilarious non-verbal percussion show featuring four crazy Korean chefs who are working against the clock to prepare a complete wedding banquet," according to the producers. "With an overheated Maitre D' intent on keeping the foursome on schedule, Cookin' slices, dices, chops and beats a delightfully spellbinding blend of martial arts, drumming and dance that will leave audiences hungry for more…"
Originally developed in Seoul by PMC Production Co. Ltd. in 1997, the show "applies the traditional rhythms of Samulnori — a form of Korean music —to a fast-paced kitchen percussion show combining comedy, rhythm and non-verbal performance that culminate into a dynamic and delicious evening of performance."
The typical instruments of Samulnori have all been replaced with utensils commonly found in the kitchen including knives, cutting boards, pots, pans, chopsticks and woks.
The New York company of the show includes Young Hoon Kim, Kang Il Kim, Seung Jun Lee, Chu Ja Seo and Ho Yeoul Sul. At certain performances,
The show is an international sensation boasting performances in more than 20 countries throughout Europe, Asia and North America. In Korea alone, more than one million people have attended performances of Cookin'. It's billed as the longest-running show in the history of Korean performing arts.
The creative team includes scenic designer Dong Woo Park, costume designer Hee Joo Kim, lighting designer Hak Young Kim and sound designer Jai Hyun Park.
Minetta Lane Theatre is at 18 Minetta Lane, Greenwich Village.
Cookin' plays Wednesday through Friday evenings at 8 PM; Saturdays at 2 PM, 6 PM and 9 PM; and Sundays at 2 PM and 5:30 PM.
For tickets ($40-$65) call the Minetta Lane Theatre box office at (212) 420-8000 or Ticketmaster.com at (212) 307-4100.
