by Luke Maynus. @luke.maynus.
NEW YORK, NY - One of the most fun and rewarding parts of seeing a theatrical production is staying by the stage door after the show for a chance to see your favorite performer in person! Calvin Anderson, a New York City tourist, has “stage-doored” every piece of live theatre he’s seen on his trip so far, and he shows no signs of stopping, as he is currently awaiting the arrival of a local hibachi chef following one especially impressive dinner.
“His performance was absolutely captivating, and the tech was insane! I still can’t figure out how they did that pyrotechnics stunt with the onions!” lauded Anderson, camping out by the “Employee’s Only” exit in the alley between the Hibachi Yum restaurant and Shop Fair Grocery Mart. “I’ll need to see it again cause the storytelling was a little subversive, but performing in a thrust stage is difficult, so I don’t blame him.”
Reggie Oyama, the Hibachi Chef in question, is struggling to deal with this newfound popularity.
“I just wanna go home, man. I clock out in an hour, but I don’t wanna leave if he’s still here. I don’t want him following me home or something ya know?” pleaded Broadway’s next big sensation. “I thought when I quit Denny’s and started working here I wouldn’t have to deal with theatre kids anymore, but I guess they’re everywhere.”
Hana Jackson, a member of the Tony Awards Nominating Committee, teased big things for Oyama’s future.
“No promises, but this amount of buzz for a new work is very attractive to the Committee,” explained Jackson, effortlessly catching a shrimp in her mouth due to an expert toss by Oyama. “I think that- sorry let me chew… I think that this show’s in for a long and very successful run.”
Despite Anderson’s insistence, Oyama reiterated that he still doesn’t see himself as a performing artist, and instead identifies as a humble chef in a Japanese restaurant. His manager has also asked that he emphasize they do not sell whatever “rush tickets” are, but they do accept walk-ins if the restaurant isn’t too busy.