“The Last Supper” performed through the end of March in a Chelsea loft by its writer, producer, actor, chef and host, Ed Schmidt, is theoretically about the Biblical Last Supper as seen through the eyes of the women who cooked it . Schmidt plays them all, plus Judas and himself. “So do you think this a great play or a giant mind fuck?” asked one of the evening’s congregants during intermission. I’ll never tell, you’ll have to go see for yourself.
“The Last Supper” takes place in Schmidt’s kitchen, which is filled with church pews and has his Universal Life Minister mail-order ordainment held on the refrigerator with a magnet. In the course of the evening, Schmidt takes his little congregation on a wild ride, any part of which may or may not be real, or true.
Be prepared to suspend disbelief and also to have a grand time with the amazingly energetic Schmidt and the 32 strangers who join him for the performance he insists is not a play.
There are a lot of surprises, not the least of which is the food. (He says he is a graduate of the Culinary Institute. But then again, he says he’s not an actor.) Wine flows freely and so does good cheer. When the non-show was over, Schmidt sat down and joined us for dinner in his dining room.
The suggested offering of $50 to $75 is voluntary. But since you’ll be in love with Schmidt by the end of the evening, you’ll happily fill your envelope. The “church” is at 154 West 27th Street. Call 718.499.7758 or email info@thelastsupper.info for reservations.
