Well, I Ate
Writer and Performer Renee Marchol
Pink Milk: Synopsis
Told in the fashion of an epic, there is no heavy-handedness or lecture.
Yet religious motifs season her stories. In Pink Milk, Renee’s growling stomach is relieved because a classmate’s out-of-work dad packed his little girl’s thermos with Strawberry Quik. Though there’s not much food to go around, Aubrey shares. Renee receives grace through someone else’s loving dad. Overtly, the performer says, “I am communing with Aubrey”. Renee says, “The Blood of Christ” on stage as she mimics taking a shot from a communion cup.
Renee says no comment to reporters about her religion. It's likely that big question can't be distilled in a sound bite. After all, Renee performed a 32-minute show to answer and explain the five meals that shaped her life.
Writer and Performer Renee Marchol
Wonderbread Matzo Ball: Synopsis
Hunger, nourishment, sacrifice, and substitution are themes in Well, I Ate.
Renee’s comic interludes prevent the audience from feeling indigestion.
Renee is self-aware and makes fun of herself as the naive everyman bonking his head on epiphanies.
As Renee moves from Pink Milk first grade to coming-of-age in Wonder Bread Matzo Ball, being dumped by her Josie & The Pussycats Saturday morning cartoon best friend hits like a gut punch. Erin squeezes Wonder Bread for bread balls she dunks in her soup. Jewishness must now be a secret as bestie passes for a gentile as a cheerleader-in-training. As Erin chases popularity, Renee has no shame and begs Erin to take her back. But at camp, Renee is given an assignment to write the lyrics for a bawdy camp song for a talent show, Renee learns she can't stomach that meal– of flattery and flirtation. Renee can let Erin go.
Writer and Performer Renee Marchol
Bacon Sandwich: Synopsis
Just when the protagonist seems to be on a roll, bread seems to be grabbed out of her mouth!
Renee enters college at 16. She has a job so she buys a $3.75 bacon sandwich. The "toasted white bread with a slather of mayo, some barbeque sauce, and three strips of bacon" is a treat she can afford once a week.
And boo! Hunger pops up with a new minion, racism, and tries to shame her purchase.
A teacher on the college campus spreads an ugly, untrue rumor that the Vietnamese-owned truck is selling dog meat.
Thankfully, a different professor makes a sacrifice and stands up for a group that is not his own. Renee’s Black Cultural Anthropology Teacher intervened, “If it’s dog? Then I’m going to enjoy eating it! Some people are so ignorant,” says Tobey. He follows up with a lecture, in his classroom, unpacking why he shares personal stories about his son being followed by security in the mall when buying him a Father’s Day present.
Writer and Performer Renee Marchol
Carrot Soup: Synopsis
Fortified and nourished, Renee still faces predators as she develops professionally. Others still mess with her food. She hungers for connection and achievement. Some hunger just for Renee's body, not unlike a wolf hunting Red Riding Hood.
In Renee's mentor-protege story, Carrot Soup, Attorney George Anna, an Arkansas redhead in California, feeds blazer-wearing Renee an unexpected spoonful of French Cafe carrot-ginger puree. George Anna tells Renee that she is like a grandchild to her. After three summers of law internship, her mentor, George Anna reveals to her that she has a teen grandson she invited to a previous law conference but he locked himself in the hotel room and just ignored her. George Anna's hunger for connection with a grandchild is satisfied by passing on what she knows to Renee.
The specificity of carrot soup from the universe is not lost on Renee. Since a carrot is a vegetable you can neglect for a long time, Renee's already golden skin glowed a beta carotene hue for a season in childhood when she ate too many for survival.
Renee learns that she isn’t the only one receiving nourishment but that George Anna was refreshed by Renee. Renee chats with George Anna about life lessons outside of the courtroom and law office. She learns to choose better to whom she gives her heart when a 23-year-old man dumps Renee for a younger minor to pursue.
Writer and Performer Renee Marchol
"Brilliant story. Touched on race, class and the thoughts of a child and how it impacted her as an adult. Breaks down racial barriers."
Dr. Gwendolyn Avington
Doctorate of Health Administration
“Pink Milk” Oregon Audience to Well, I Ate
Marvin gaye and Tammi Terrell sang “The Onion Song” Do you agree with the lyrics about the solution to pain and fear?
Audience Answers
Tell me about a time when you were fed
Donated Anonymous Audience Answers might be read on stage in between food stories of Well, I Ate
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Have you dined with an enemy? What happened?
Donated Anonymous Audience Answers might be read on stage in between food stories of Well, I Ate
Renee Marchol
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Tell me about a time when you were hungry
Donated Anonymous Audience Answers might be read on stage in between food stories of Well, I Ate
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