World Premiere Of JITTERBUG PERFUME Announced At Cafe Nordo's Culinarium

Caf Nordo is proud to present its first ever solo adaptation, Jitterbug Perfume at Caf Nordo's Culinarium in Seattle's historic Pioneer Square. The show runs from March 14 - May 12, 2019. Set during New Orleans' Mardi Gras, Jitterbug Perfume titillates the senses as it immerses you in the experience of living each day to its fullest; great food, passionate love, great sex, and passionate living.

This was the first time we've had to obtain the rights to anything, said Caf Nordo's Artistic Director and Executive Chef Erin Brindley. As luck would have it, a friend of mine penpals with Tom Robbins, so I asked for an introduction. I pitched the adaptation, and after a few weeks, I had a snail mailed letter from him, in his signature flowery language, he said, 'the very audaciousness of the idea is what most appeals to me'.

The show is an adaptation of Jitterbug Perfume, Robbins' 400-page novel that spans thousands of years. This daunting task was a theatrical challenge that co-adapters Stephan Robinson and Caf Nordo's co-Artistic Director Terry Podgorski were eager to accept.

The Caf Nordo creative team met with Robbins at his home in La Conner, Washington, in the summer of 2018. He answered the door with a cupcake [for Brindley's birthday] and lit a candle, said Brindley. He showed us his home. We had a lovely time. After meeting for two and a half hours, Robbins offered advice and words of wisdom as he gave the company adaptation rights to Jitterbug Perfume.

There's so much inspiration to pull from in Robbins' writing, it's a goldmine, said composer Annastasia Workman. Mardi Gras and New Orleans are central to the plot of the show, where I've drawn from Dr. John's bluesy style piano, Terence Blanchard's score for A Tale of God's Will, and the bands Galactic and Michot's Melody Makers. The music for this show is all over the space-time continuum, with other influences coming from Bollywood scores, Gy rgy Ligeti, Marconi Union, and Hildegard von Bingen.

This three-hour immersive experience is complete with an original score arranged and composed by Workman. Infused with the sounds of New Orleans jazz, Workman, along with Matt Manges and Beth Fleenor, transport audiences deep into the revelry of Mardi Gras.

Those familiar with Caf Nordo's style of integrating theater, food, and drink into a multi-sensory experience can anticipate that Jitterbug Perfume takes that adventure further than ever before. Playing off the dueling perfumiers in the story, Caf Nordo's award winning Chef Brindley uses aroma to create a theatrical culinary experience. The obvious will not be on the menu, said Brindley with a smile. This epic tale gave me the opportunity to think deeply about aroma, how it enhances flavors and how it changes the experience of eating. The menu merges New Orleans and Seattle cuisines with choose-your-own-adventure olfactory decisions that create a unique, individualized experience.

To enhance the festivities, beverages intentionally selected to pair with the food include specially selected Wine Steward, Wine Sommelier, and Cocktail Flights, or, a specially-made Jitterbug Perfume wine from Chad Stock of Minimus Wine, an avant-garde Oregon winemaker. Beverages are not included in the ticket price.

JITTERBUG PERFUME by Tom Robbins Copyright 1984 Available in Bantam Trade Edition Adapted by Terry Podgorski & Stephen Robinson For Caf Nordo Director: Erin Brindley Chef: Erin Brindley Actors: Priscilla - Helen Roundhill Alobar - Brian Picheu Kudra - Marie Bolla Pan the Goat God - Matt Manges Ensemble: Chris Shea, Mara Palma, Lisa Viertel, Ronnie Hill, Opal Peachey, Madison Jade Jones. Original Music: Annastasia Workman (keyboard, accordion) Additional Musicians: Beth Fleenor (vocals, clarinet, electronics), Matt Manges (drums) Costume Design: Fantasia Rose and Katrina Hess Set Design: Terry Podgorski Lighting Design: Ryan Dunn Properties: Robin Macartney Sound Design: Evan Mosher

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