HERE’S THE BEEF
What happens when you’re brought up to feel invisible? Where do you go for solace? Where do you go to find your identity? For actress Debrianna Mansini it was in cooking; this was her joy, her salvation, her escape and most importantly it was the only way she was able to communicate with her emotionally abusive mother.
Ms. Mansini first performed The Meatball Chronicles at the Hollywood Fringe Festival last year and it was a big hit. It’s obvious why this is so. She has created a powerful, emotional and, at times, funny story about her childhood and her relationship with her sisters and her mother.
We follow her culinary journey as she kneads dough and stirs the sauce for all the many Italian recipes that have been her friends since she was a child. Her mother was — in one word — a monster. She was former beauty queen on her road to stardom in Hollywood when she became pregnant with Mansini. Her dreams shattered, she became a vindictive angry woman and took her rage out on her kids, especially her oldest one, Debrianna. We come to understand Mansini’s relationship with food and how it eventually set her free. A wonderful actress, she nails every moment of her emotional journey, making this a delicious delight.
photos by David Forlano
The Meatball Chronicles
a KUKER & LEE production
Hudson Guild Theatre, 6539 Santa Monica Blvd.
Fri & Sat at 8; Sun at 3
ends on April 14, 2019
for tickets, call 323.960.7788 visit OnStage411