Paradisimo
Written by Bryan MacWilliams
Characters-
Jean-Paul LaSalle- Jean-Paul is the executive chef at Paradisimo, where he has worked tirelessly for 15 years; Martin O’Brien has just bought Paradisimo and has seen fit to restrict Jean-Paul’s creative culinary endeavors. Played by Dom Delouise.
Martin O’Brien- the scary looking, overbearing, domineering new owner of Paradismo, he rules his new restaurant with an iron fist. Played by Willem Dafoe.
Alex- the unappreciated and abused newest bus boy at Paradisimo, he has become the brunt of Martin’s anger and the scapegoat for problems at the restaurant. Played by Colin Walton.
Larry- the highly skilled and well-respected bartender at Paradisimo, also the confidant of many characters. Played by Bill Knipple.
Carol- a hilarious waitress, who has a big crush on the 16 year-old Alex. Played by Mary Tyler Moore.
Act I Scene I
The curtain opens revealing a large set split into two sections separated by a wall at center stage. Stage right is the vision of a pricey restaurant, while stage left is a view of the restaurants busy kitchen.
Martin enters from up stage right moving center
Martin- “ Jean-Paul, JEAN-PAUL!!!! Oh where is that insolent French chef?”
Exits off stage left.
A spotlight illuminates down stage left where a large white clad man and a skinny young man are crouched in front of a kitchen servers line cart. The young man peers over the cart.
Chef- “ Is the coast clear?”
Alex- “ Yea, we should be safe here for a while.”
Alex rises.
Chef- “I should probably get started with the preparations for tonight’s dinner.”
He walks to the stoves and turns the oven on.
Alex crosses.
Alex- “You need any help?”
Chef- “Sure I will teach you a few things, first we must dice these onions.”
He places a large onion on the chopping board and unsheathes a knife, he tosses it into the air and it lands splitting the onion in two.
Chef-“Now you dice this onion while I get the eggs for the soufflé.”
He exits stage center.
Alex begins slowly and carefully dicing the onions.
Martin enters from stage left.
Martin- “Chef, oh Chef! Boy what do you think you are doing?”
Alex-“ Chef told me to….”
Martin interrupts him.
Martin- “Nevermind that go out back and take out the trash, then sweep the entire dinning room before customers arrive at 6. What are you doing just standing there, GO NOW!”
Alex rushes out stage left.
Martin- “Now where is that worthless chef?”
The lights fall and the scene ends.
