Seared
February 7 - March 2, 2025
Bold Flavors, Sharper Words

Now – March 9
NEUHAUS THEATRE
By Theresa Rebeck
Directed by Brandon Weinbrenner
Extended by Popular Demand
Indulge your senses in this spicy comedy of culinary chaos and artistic vision that clashes with the hard realities of business. When a seasoned restaurant consultant joins and adds fuel to the fire, it ignites a battle that will leave you craving for more. You will be up close to the action as the Neuhaus Theatre is transformed into the intimate kitchen of a restaurant.
“If You Like ‘The Bear,’ You’ll Love This Houston Play in Which Actors Cook Onstage”
Texas Monthly
“It’s not just the salmon that turns out to be delicious in this smart, funny look at life in a restaurant kitchen”
Houston Chronicle
“Alley Theatre heats up the stage with spicy comedy Seared“
ABC13
“Tempers Flare in the Kitchen”
Houston Press
Listen to The Playlist
Sound Designer Frederick Kennedy’s curated playlist was inspired by the dynamics of the kitchen in Seared. Listen Now.
Accessibility
Performance Type |
Performance Date(s) |
|---|---|
Captioned Performance |
Sunday, February 16, 2:00 PM
Best Seats: Section West, Rows D-F, Seats 1-7 |
Audio Described Performance |
Sunday, February 16, 7:00 PM
This service can be accessed from any seat location upon checking out a headset device. |
ASL Interpreted Performance |
Wednesday, February 26, 7:30 PM
Best Seats: Please select the indicated performance and use Promo Code ASLSEAT to gain access to the best seats to view ASL interpreters, or contact Guest Services at (713) 220-5700 or boxoffice@alleytheatre.org. |
| We’re cooking live on stage – including salmon. Please contact Guest Services for more information if you have concerns about your food allergies before purchasing tickets. | |
| Seared takes place in the intense environment of a professional kitchen, where strong language and a brief reference to a sexual situation occur. | |
| Seared runs approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes, including one intermission. | |
| Before you attend the performance, the program provides cast bios, sponsor backgrounds, and further reading. Read More. |
|
| Read the program. | |
| Listen to the playlist. |
TALKS & EVENTS
Pre-Show Alley Chats
Sunday, February 9, before the 2:00 PM show
Get a behind-the-scenes look at the design process.
Post-Show Alley Chats
Thursday, February 13, after the 7:30 PM show
Tuesday, February 18, after the 7:30 PM show
Join us for post-show Alley Chats with the cast and Alley Theatre Artistic Staff.
STUDENT MATINEE
Exclusive 10:00 AM performance and Talkback
ASSOCIATE PRODUCERS
Jillian Jopling and Peter McGillivray
Victoria and Alex Lazar
Amy and John Miller
LEARN MORE
Mariachi Music Today: A Vibrant Cultural Legacy in the Southwestern United States
Mariachi music, rooted in Mexican traditions, has survived and thrived in the US. The growth of the Mexican American community has led to the expansion and influence of mariachi music.Continue reading→
The Artistry of Backdrops: A Scenic Artist’s Perspective on the Spectacular Backdrop in Agatha Christie’s The Murder of Roger Ackroyd
This is an exciting time for backdrops at Alley Theatre. The last three shows, including Agatha Christie’s The Murder of Roger Ackroyd, have all included hand-painted backdrops.Continue reading→
PAPERBACK READER: On The Joys Of A Christie Paperback
It’s true you can’t judge a book by its cover, but the cover of an Agatha Christie novel is often the perfect invitation to all that awaits you on the pages inside. Continue reading→
Murder, Suspense, and Intrigue: What Makes The Murder of Roger Ackroyd a Timeless Thriller
The Murder of Roger Ackroyd put Agatha Christie on the map as one of the world’s greatest mystery writers…Continue reading→
The Beauty of Venice and its Influence on The Servant of Two Masters
Venice, the enchanting city of canals and architectural marvels, inspired many artists, writers, and theater makers. Its unique beauty and romantic aesthetic provide a captivating backdrop for storytelling. In our production of The Servant of Two Masters, Venice’s charm and atmosphere play a significant role in transporting audiences to the world of the play. Continue reading→
The Casting Process of Agatha Christie’s The Murder of Roger Ackroyd
We sat down with Brandon Weinbrenner, our Associate Producer and Casting Director to talk about the casting process within our Resident Acting Company for our upcoming Summer Chills show, Agatha Christie’s: The Murder of Roger Ackroyd. Here is what Brandon had to say regarding the process and consideration that was taken to craft this marvelous story! Continue reading→
Unmasking the Laughter: The Importance of Commedia dell’arte Masks
In the uproarious world of The Servant of Two Masters, the iconic commedia dell’arte masks take center stage, adding a unique layer of charm and character. The masks worn in the Alley’s production by Pantalone de’Bisognosi, Dottore Lombardi, Brighella, and Truffaldino are beautifully hand-crafted from wood and leather by the talented Antonio Fava. Continue reading→
From Commedia Dell’arte to Pop Culture
Commedia dell’arte has impacted modern pop culture tremendously. From the stock characters to the exaggerated physicality, roots of commedia dell’arte can be seen in many movies and TV shows. Continue reading→
Who was Agatha Christie: A Woman of Mystery
When you hear the name Agatha Christie, you immediately think of whodunnits. Christie has become a legend in the genre for her captivating plots, iconic characters, and just enough clues to make the audience think they have solved the mystery right before serving an unforgettable plot twist.Continue reading→
Reflections of Artistic Director Rob Melrose: Adaptor, Translator, and Director
I can hardly contain my excitement in sharing with Houston audiences my two greatest passions: commedia dell’arte and the city of Venice. Commedia dell’arte is a form of drama that originated in Italy from 1550-1750 featuring stock characters wearing masks and improvised comedic bits called lazzi (from the same root as the word lasso because they tie the play together). Cartoons, sitcoms, and the comedies of Shakespeare, Molière, and Goldoni all have their roots in commedia dell’arte.Continue reading→
Captioned Performance
Audio Described Performance
ASL Interpreted Performance