Mark Bittman Tickets

Mark Bittman is a food journalist, cookbook author, and activist who is known for his commitment to plant-based eating. However, what some people may not know is that he has also dabbled in the world of theater.

Bittman's interest in theater began in the mid-1980s when he was living in Boston and working as a freelance writer. He became friends with the members of a small theater company called Commonwealth Stage, who were creating experimental works that challenged traditional ideas of narrative and character development.

Inspired by their work, Bittman decided to try his hand at playwriting. His first effort, a one-act play called "Seduction," was staged by Commonwealth Stage in 1988. The play was well received, and Bittman was hooked.

Over the next several years, Bittman continued to write plays and, occasionally, act in them. He formed a theater company called LightView Productions, which produced several of his plays and those of other writers. Some of his most notable works include "The Doormat," "Black Light Blues," and "Viva la Revolution."

While Bittman's love of theater eventually took a backseat to his successful career in food writing, it remains an important part of his past—and his present. In recent years, he has worked as a consultant for theaters around the country, helping them develop sustainable food programs that prioritize local, organic, and plant-based ingredients.

For Bittman, the connections between food and theater are clear. Both involve storytelling, creativity, and community. Both can bring people together and foster a sense of shared experience and connection.

In many ways, Bittman's focus on healthy, sustainable food is an extension of his work in theater. Just as he sought to challenge traditional ideas of storytelling and character development in his plays, he now seeks to challenge our understanding of what food should be, and how we can make it more equitable and sustainable for all.