As its title implies, Rebecca Gilman’s new play, Soups, Stews, and Casseroles: 1976, is set during the American bicentennial—but its roots are very much in the present day, notably the 2011 protests in Madison, Wisconsin, after Governor Scott Walker proposed eliminating collective bargaining for public sector unions in order to alleviate the state’s budget crisis.
The play explores the various communities and loyalties in Reynolds, Wisconsin, after the local owners of the town’s cheese plant sell out to a Chicago-based conglomerate. Almost by accident, one of the townies, Kat Durst, befriends Elaine Marcus, the wife of the new plant manager; this friendship leads to a promotion for Kat’s husband, Kim, who has worked at the plant for 17 years with very little personal satisfaction, but also alienates the Dursts from their old friends and neighbors.
Soups, Stews, and Casseroles: 1976, through Sun 6/19, Wed-Thu 7:30 PM, Fri 8 PM, Sat 2 and 8 PM, Sun 2 PM, Goodman Theatre, 170 N. Dearborn, 312-443-3800, goodmantheatre.org, $10-$28.
