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Theater: Morsels:
Willkommen
to Berlin
If there is a star in the Very Little Theatre's production of Cabaret, it is Tegue DeLeon as the sexy Emcee. Every inch of DeLeon's sculpted body and shaved head is so carefully controlled that he practically prowls the stage. Whether dressed in sequins, drag, a diaper, or flashing a swastika on his perfectly muscled naked butt, DeLeon commands the space as if it's the most natural thing to do in the world. Set in Berlin just before the rise of the Nazis, Cabaret pairs two very different romances against the backdrop of the glitzy Kit Kat Club and a shabby guesthouse run by Fraulein Schneider (Shaunie Schmoll). The master of ceremonies (DeLeon) weaves through the storyline vaudeville acts demonstrating the growing shadow of the Nazis. The first unexpected romance blooms between Cliff Bradshaw (Evan Howells), a shy American writer who's in Berlin seeking inspiration for a novel, and Sally Bowles (Liz Kadel), a pouty-lipped British cabaret singer. After a hesitant beginning, Howells convincingly portrays Cliff's increasing attachment to the flighty Sally and his desperation to keep them together. As Sally, Kadel's British accent tends to come and go, and her airy casualness sometimes leaves one cold. But she springs to life when she begins to sing. She also looks delicious, especially in a slinky red dress during her saucy opening number "Don't Tell Mama." The chemistry between Howells and Kadel feels real, although the emotional conclusion to their relationship is a little flat. The other romance is the unlikely pairing of Fraulein Schneider, Cliff's middle-aged landlady, and the cuddly Herr Shultz (Bill Furtick), a Jewish fruit shop owner and a tenant. Furtick's sweater-vested appeal and tender pursuit of the lonely Fraulein make him more endearing than a teddy bear. Schmoll and Furtick's scenes together literally tremble with the hope of companionship. Michael Watkins, who directed and choreographed Cabaret, plays the role of Ernst Ludwig, a pleasant businessman who befriends Cliff — and who turns out to be a Nazi. As support for the Nazis spreads and anti-Jewish sentiment grows, Herr Shultz has a brick thrown through his shop window. Relationships begin to sour, and Sally's flippant comment, "It's only politics. What's it got to do with us?" rings more and more hollow. Soon it seems everyone, including the dancers at the Kit Kat Club, are snapping the Nazi salute to the chilling anthem, "Tomorrow Belongs To Me." The Emcee's loving dance with a female gorilla (Riley Pristyak) turns what seems a ludicrous sequence into a statement of despair when he ends, "If you could see her through my eyes, she wouldn't look Jewish at all." Watkins leads Cabaret to a restrained, emotional end, the despair of the times perfectly captured in the Emcee's still silhouette and the pile of shoes in the center of the stage. Written by John Kander and Fred Ebb, Cabaret runs at the Very Little Theatre through April 3.
A
Crush on the New Kid Manola's
Thai Cuisine Eugene's got the hots for Thai food. Lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, creamy coconut, curries, galanka root ... exotic fragrances that transport us on spring breezes to Epicurean fantasy islands. And any new restaurant is guaranteed to pique our curiosity and taste buds. The new kid in town now is Manola's. It's in the former Shanghai Chinese restaurant spot, on the stretch of Broadway that turns into Franklin. Its sign is pink and bright green, bold and blaring, but inside, the experience is more subtle. A gilt dragon and phoenix screen greets you, and fichus trees create a lush, close atmosphere. The walls have been redone in a deep orangy-red, with royal blue silk accents. Taking a hint from Cafe Lucky Noodle, Manola's uses cool light fixtures, including frosty blue lights lining the windows, to update the look of the whole place. Of course, food is of the essence: A place has to be more than just eye candy to keep the romance alive. The menu is well rounded, beginning with the traditional offerings and adding a vegetarian section at the end. Wines and bar drinks are also available (I try someone's Thai Stoli, Thai iced tea with Stoli's — new to me!) Appetizers include a generous plate of Thai Spring Rolls, $5.95, with a mild plum dipping sauce. Chunks of fresh cucumber in the sauce are a pleasant touch and enhance the sauce's sweetness. One refreshing thing is the number of salads on the menu: spicy Grapefruit Salad, Yum Pla Muk with squid, Pineapple Noodles Salad with coconut milk and fresh ginger. Perhaps a nod to Dr. Atkins? My favorite dish from the now closed Bamboo is a salad called Som Tum, or green papaya salad — Manola's version, $8.95, with BBQ chicken and sticky rice, or $7.95 vegetarian. In the mood for a mild curry, I ask the waiter for a recommendation. He actually brings a sample of the peanut sauce curry to taste, and it is lovely. (The service is quick, especially in the early evening before all the tables fill, though by the time I get the check the place is packed and the waiter a little more harried). The Peanut Sauce Curry, $9.95, is a one-star spicy dish, which here means the burn doesn't start until you're a couple bites in, and keeps you flushed and warm for the rest of the evening. The veggies are nice — especially the thin-cut, scalloped-edged carrots — though angel hair noodles are never my favorite. With the thick peanut sauce they get a little gummy. The Garlic Green Beans, $8.95, are something special. At my table, we fight over the last bits, especially the tender sauce-saturated tofu — salty, spicy, rich. Oh, I'm hungry again. Hopefully fresher green beans will be found as the season progresses, but in the sauce and tofu no fault can be found. I can't wait to try the Ginger Tofu. Dessert isn't out of the question at the end of the meal, especially for the members of our party under 12, so we try the homemade coconut ice cream, made with thick, tender, toothsome chunks of real coconut — very nice. Manola's doesn't cut many corners: Sauces are made fresh, in house, the food is well thought out, and the prices are reasonable. During our meal, the place slowly fills with familiar Eugene faces. What starts as flirtatious curiosity just might lead Eugene to true love with another great Thai restaurant. 11 am-10 pm M-F, noon-10 pm Sa, noon-9 pm Su. No Checks, $-$$.
Leftovers • It's official: Jennifer Jarmin, Summer Spinner and Mieke Stevens, co-owners of Whiteaker's BabyCakes Café, are trading the hectic world of restaurant ownership for the equally (if not more) hectic world of full-time motherhood. The women have sold the café to Richard Satnick of Portland and soon-to-be local co-owner Steve Metz. Satnick, owner of Laughing Planet on Belmont Avenue in Portland, is stoked on the Eugene venture. "Eugene is a city with consciousness about food and getting off the national food grid," he says. Laughing Planet Portland is a vegetarian- and vegan-friendly joint specializing in burritos and salads — "healthy, good, wholesome food for people on the go," says Satnick. He adds, "We think we're going to learn a lot here … we're looking forward to hooking up and working with local farmers." — Bobbie Willis • Check out the menu changes at Taco Loco — free chips and salsa to start your meal and new low-carb options. — BW
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