'Cookin' celebrates 1st anniversary at the Minetta Lane Theatre

Cookin' celebrated its first anniversary last night (Wed 9 Mar), at Off-Broadway�s Minetta Lane Theatre, where it is currently booking to the 4 Sep 2005.

Conceived and directed by Seung Whan Song, the show officially opened on the 7 Mar 2004, following previews from the 20 Feb.

Cookin' stars Young Hoon Kim, Kang Il Kim, Seung Jun Lee, Chu Ja Seo and Ho Yeoul Sul. At certain performances, the show is will be performed by Ji Wook Yang, Byung Ho Kim, Ji Won Kang, and Sung Min Lee.

Staged in a restaurant kitchen, Cookin' is a non-verbal percussion show featuring four crazy Korean chefs who are working against the clock to prepare a complete wedding banquet. With an overheated Maitre D' intent on keeping the foursome on schedule, as they slice, dice, chop and beat to a blend of martial arts, drumming and dance.

Originally developed in Seoul by PMC Production Co. Ltd. in 1997, Cookin' applies the traditional rhythms of Samulnori � a form of Korean music � to a fast-paced kitchen percussion show combining comedy, rhythm and non-verbal performance that culminate into a dynamic performance. The typical instruments of Samulnori have all been replaced with utensils commonly found in the kitchen including knives, cutting boards, pots, pans, chopsticks and woks.

Cookin' is presented Off-Broadway by PMC Production Co. Ltd., Seung Whan Song, Kwang Ho Lee, The Broadway Asia Company, Simone Genatt Haft and Marc Routh, in association with Zemiro, Mort Swinsky and Amy Danis/Mark Johannes.

In the last five years, the show has performed to over two million people worldwide in more than 20 countries throughout Europe, Asia and North America. In Korea alone, more than one million people have attended performances, making it the longest-running show in the history of Korean Performing Arts.

Cookin' features scenic design by Dong Woo Park, costume design by Hee Joo Kim, lighting design by Hak Young Kim and sound design by Jai Hyun Park.