Hotdish – Pony World Theatre @ 12th Avenue Arts (Seattle – Capitol Hill) (PWYC)

For this world premiere play, simply combine 3 “hotdishes” (casseroles for you non-Minnesotans), one dysfunctional family, one reality TV show, tater tots, black pepper, your grandmother’s rose water perfume, several dashes of joy, and a pinch of heartache.

Kayla Liggett will do anything to help her family, just so long as she doesn’t have to be in the same room with them. Her unemployed brother thinks he’s found the answer to all his troubles: winning the title of his favorite reality TV cooking show, Champion Chef. As Toby falls deeper into this enticing fantasy, their mother Evelyn is hiding the truth about her financial problems and their familys history. It falls to Kayla to save them both, but she can’t keep her own life on track. Perhaps the magical figure who hosts America’s favorite cooking show can help. Hotdish tells a story about family, food, and fixing the cracks in all our hearts.

Written by Brendan Healy, directed by Charlotte Peters.

Pay-what-you-choose performances on 11/9 and 11/20 (evenings), and 11/26 (matinee)

Tickets ($24) here.