Theatre Aspen is presenting “Becoming Mawa: Stories from Mawa’s Kitchen,” an immersive performance pairing Chef Mawa McQueen’s story with a five-course meal, with all proceeds going to scholarships for Theatre Aspen’s youth programs across the Roaring Fork Valley.
Performances start at 7 p.m. Oct. 23 and 6 p.m. Oct. 25 at Mawa’s Kitchen.
New York City’s Broadway veteran Asmeret Ghebremichael will play “Mawa,” in collaboration with Mawa’s Kitchen and StoryCourse. Theatre Aspen commissioned Broadway veteran Adam Kantor to bring Chef Mawa’s McQueen’s story to life, who teamed up with Charly Jaffe to co-write and co-directo. Leanne Antonio also joined the creative team as a co-writer. “Becoming Mawa” will be StoryCourse’s first production to premiere outside of New York City.
“It’s our 20th anniversary, so I’m excited to do something that reflects who I am and my contribution to the food scene in Aspen,” Chef Mawa said. “Each food will tell a story from my journey from Africa to France to America — and to discovering who I am. I will tell you why each course is important to me.”
The menu will be a blend of Afro-Mediterranean, French and American cuisine.
McQueen was the eldest of 20 children, born on the Côte d’Ivoire, where she learned to cook for her family. She opened Mawa’s Kitchen in October 2006 without any investors and has weathered economic and environmental challenges to ultimately become a James Beard Award semifinalist, with the restaurant receiving recognition from the Michelin Guide for four consecutive years.
“And we are still standing,” she said. “And we wanted to do something incredible and meaningful for the 20th anniversary.”
Ghebremichael will bring those experiences to life. She’s an American actress, singer and director whose Broadway credits include “Footloose,” “Wicked,” “Legally Blonde,” “Elf” and “The Book of Mormon.” She made her West End debut in “The Book of Mormon” and later appeared in London’s production of “Dreamgirls.” She’s currently an associate director and choreographer for Broadway’s “Two Strangers Carry a Cake Across New York” and associate director for the North American tour of “The Notebook: The Musical.”
McQueen’s story resonates with Ghebremichael, who also found her calling as a performer early and whose parents came to the United States from East Africa in the 1970s.
“She’s this huge personality and so dynamic, I’m really excited to portray her in my way and try to capture some of that,” Ghebremichael said.
Dinner theater, however, is a new medium for her.
“I’m really excited about it. There’s an intimacy I’m looking forward to exploring,” she added. “The production unfolds into four acts, and each act precedes the introduction of one of the courses. So each dish relates to the act I just performed.”
Theatre Aspen’s Director of Artist Planning Britt Marden said the event brings together storytelling, cuisine and support for local arts education.
“This event is unique and irreplicable. The opportunity to experience Chef Mawa’s incredible journey through expert storytelling and award-winning cuisine, combined with supporting accessible arts education opportunities for students right here in our valley, is unlike anything Theatre Aspen has ever produced. We hope our community will join us at the table to support this important cause and hear Mawa’s story,” Marden said in a release.
For more information and tickets, visit “Becoming Mawa: Stories from Mawa’s Kitchen” at theatreaspen.org/ta-next-at-mawas-kitchen.
Dining and Cooking