`d' Shines As Cougars Down Gna

814th Quartermaster Company On Duty In Iraq

By MARY THERESE BIEBEL mbiebel@leader.net
 Friday, January 21, 2005 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Page: 3 





So they have nepotism in Korea, too. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 That all-too-human tidbit might leap out at you when you read Web sites
devoted to ``Cookin,' '' the sizzling, energetic,
let's-make-a-seven-course-wedding-banquet-in-one-hour show coming to the F.M.
Kirby Center next week. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Just listen to the list of characters in this show that originated in
Seoul: Head Chef, Female Cook, Sexy Food Dude and Nephew. That last guy is
related to the manager, and, as you might suspect, he wasn't hired on merit. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 But there's no reason to resent Nephew's lucky break; just relax and watch
in amazement as cast members turn chopsticks, woks, food, broomsticks - and
sometimes each other - into the rhythm section of a wildly unconventional
orchestra. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 This is how one reviewer described the action on stage: ``These folks are
liable to begin chopping some vegetables and in short order wind up tapping
their knife blades rhythmically ... in neat, percussive harmony. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 ``After that, it doesn't take long for the feet to start tapping, the
bodies to start bouncing and the stage floor to start filling up with flying
bits of cucumber, onion, carrot and cabbage.'' &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 As if that isn't intriguing enough, the performance usually includes a
chance for a few audience members to actually taste the concoctions. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 They'll be ``Cookin''' at 8 p.m. Jan. 29 at the F.M. Kirby Center. Call
826-1100 or see www.kirbycenter.org for information. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 If any of your children have an itch to play Doc or Sleepy or Bashful,
meanwhile, you might consider taking them to the Scranton Public Theatre's
production of ``Snow White'' tomorrow at Wyoming Area High School. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Members of the audience will be chosen to participate as the seven dwarfs,
and they'll see up close some new twists on the old fable. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 ``We've certainly taken off with the story,'' theater spokesman Bob
Schlesinger said. ``At the end, the prince gives Snow White a kiss and wakes
her up. We figured if the kiss worked for Snow White, why wouldn't a kiss work
on the evil queen to make her a good queen? So the prince chases her around,
gives her a kiss, and everyone lives happily ever after.'' &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Hmmm. Sounds as if the queen just needed a little love. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The children's show will be presented at 1 p.m. at the high school. Tickets
are $5. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 CUT FOR COOKIN' IMAGE: &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 MDRV If you like the rhythm of `Stomp' and the zany kitchen antics of `Iron
Chef,' critics predict you'll enjoy the Korean show `Cookin.'' &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

'cookin' Is Tasty Treat