RAGING SKILLET Begins August 22 in Wellfleet

Wellfleet Harbor Actors Theater offers the perfect end to a delicious season: Raging Skillet, by Jacques Lamarre, August 22 to September 15. Based on "The Raging Skillet: The True Life Adventures of Chef Rossi, A Memoir with Recipes," Raging Skillet is directed by Sasha Brätt, with Shanel Sparr as Chef Rossi, Kathryn Kates as her mom, and Michael Patrick Trimm as DJ Skillit. Performances are at 8:00 p.m., Tuesdays through Saturdays. Two preview performances, August 22 and 23, begin at 7:30 p.m.

"After 13 years hosting 'Bite This' on WOMR for the world's most intelligent, (and attractive) radio audience, I am KVELLing (Jewish for thrilled and proud at the same time) that the hysterical and delicious play about my life Raging Skillet is coming to the Outer Cape! You're gonna laugh your kishkas off." -Chef Rossi

Raging Skillet is one woman's story of cooking her way through some of life's biggest challenges in New York City's most unlikely kitchens. Talking her way into any cooking job she could get, self-taught and self-made Rossi ended up owning one of the most sought-after catering companies in the city.

Chef Rossi grew up "orthodox light" (her family kept the meat and dairy dishes separate but ate McDonald's fish sandwiches). A rebellious daughter, she was shipped off from her Hungarian Yiddish family to live with a Chasidic rabbi in Brooklyn. Feeling restless, Rossi broke free from religious and familial constraints to create a life of her own. What began as a revolt against the microwave turned into a quest to make food that is fearless, fun, and, most importantly, delicious.

A professional actress in New York, Shanel Sparr graduated from the Bachelor of Fine Arts Program at The University of Central Florida. Some of her favorite credits include Sister James in Doubt: A Parable, Maggie in Lend Me a Tenor, and Susy in Wait Until Dark. Shanel has been seen in New Hampshire's professional Summerstock Theatre at Winnipesaukee Playhouse as Hallie in The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, and Annie in Round and Round the Garden. July 12th, 2018 marked the premiere of award winning feature film, Seekers of the Lost Worlds, in which Shanel stars as the lead role of Rita. Upon her return to New York, Shanel will be portraying Margret Ogilvy in the premiere of ShadowPlay, an immersive experience based on the life and work of J.M. Barrie.

Kathryn Kates has worked for over 30 years in film, tv and theatre but is probably best known for her recurring role on Seinfeld in the iconic episodes, "The Marble Rye" and "The Babka." She currently recurs as Fred Savage's mother in season 2 of the Netflix series Friends From College; as Judge Marlene Simons on Law & Order: SVU; and as Jason Bigg's mother on Orange Is the New Black. She appeared in season 1 of Jennifer Lopez' NBC hit Shades of Blue as Mrs Saperstein. She has worked on Broadway and Off Broadway, most recently in Roundabout Theatre's Significant Other; in LAByrinth's Nice Girl, directed by Mimi O'Donnell; at NYTheatre Workshop in Food and Fadwa; on Theatre Row in Herman Kline's Midlife Crisis; and starred along with Greg Mullavey and Gaby Hoffmann in The Last Seder. She spent over 25 years in LA where she was a founder, acting member and producer of the award-winning Colony Theatre. Kathryn is represented by McGowan Rodriguez Management and Headline Talent Agency.

This is Michael Patrick Trimm's first time working with Wellfleet Harbor Actors Theater. New York City Credits: The Public Theater (Julius Caesar), New Wave Theater Collective (The New Sincerity), Sanguine Theater Co. (Jessica), Manhattan Repertory Theatre (The BC Boys). Regional Credits: The Kitchen Theatre Co. (Hand to God), Ithaca Shakespeare Co. (Henry IV, A Midsummer Night's Dream), 4615 Theatre Co. (Dracula), City Theater (The Young Playwright's Festival), Prime Stage Theater (Everything's Fine). Awards: SALT Award (nominee) for Hand to God. Michael is a graduate of the Ithaca College, BFA Acting program.

Dates of note: Pay WHAT You Want on the first Wednesday (preview); a reception follows the Opening Night performance on Friday, August 24; and playmaker talkbacks follow selected Thursday performances. Performances are at 8:00 p.m., Tuesdays-Saturdays, except the two previews on August 22 and 23, which start at 7:30 p.m. Student and senior discounts are available.

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