“Bon Appétit!” North Bend Dinner Theater Portrays French Chef Julia Child – November 15

            North Bend, W.VA – Karen Vuranch portrays the late French Chef Julia Child in a dinner theater performance at North Bend State Park on November 15.  “With only a week before Thanksgiving, we feel certain her character will advise not to stuff your turkey in advance, ‘since the stuffing could start to sour and spoil inside the bird and goodbye, happy holidays,’ and other remarks that made her a delightful on-air personality,” says Kristi Steed, Group Coordinator at North Bend.  Julia Child was more than just another good cook; she is an icon in the culinary world and the basis for this theater presentation.

            In the 1960s it was Julia Child who brought her love of French cooking to the American public.  “She used her remarkable energy and humor and convinced us that anyone could create gourmet meals,” says Steed. The First Lady of Food, as she has been called by the Food Network, charmed the American public and the world with her joy of life and her passion for good food. The cookbook, Mastering the Art of French Cooking, which she co-authored with two other women, has become a classic and her acclaimed series, The French Chef, began a TV career that spanned three decades and earned her a Peabody award and an Emmy.

            In recent years, the Food Network has captured the cooking public’s imagination and the art and love of cooking has transcended from “women’s work” to a hobby and passion for both men and women throughout the country. Before Rachel, Emeril or Paula, a tall, gangly woman with a preposterous voice and joy of life revolutionized the art of cooking. Child died in 2004 two days before her 92nd birthday. Karen Vuranch portrays this joyful and ebullient woman, who wished us all, “Bon Appétit!

            An overnight package for two individuals includes double occupancy lodging at North Bend Lodge, dinner and theater, meet and greet Ms. Vuranch following the play, and breakfast the following morning.  The package price is $153.64. Dinner and play only is $40 per person. Reservations are required.

            North Bend State Park is located off U.S. Rt. 50 in Ritchie County between the towns of Cairo and Harrisville W.Va.  The park is approximately 30 minutes from Parkersburg and 40 minutes from Clarksburg. For more information about North Bend State Park, overnight facilities, special events including New Year’s Eve package and others, North Bend lake, campgrounds, North Bend Rail Trail, go online to www.northbendsp.com or call the park, (304) 643-2931.

About Karen Vuranch

            Karen Vuranch writes and produces a murder mystery each year for West Virginia State Parks. In addition to creating these comic murder mysteries, Karen is a well-known storyteller and actress. 

            She has toured internationally with Coal Camp Memories. Based on an oral history, it chronicles a woman’s experience in the Appalachian coal fields. Home Front is a play she wrote about women in WWII. Karen also recreates historical figures: author Pearl Buck; labor organizer Mother Jones; humanitarian Clara Barton; and Indian Captive Mary Draper Ingles. Her newest character is Grace O’Malley, a 16th century Irish pirate. Potluck: Stories and Songs about Women, wisdom and food, an innovative show about the contributions of women in a community, is performed with singer/songwriter Julie Adams and poet Colleen Anderson

            Vuranch will be appearing at these West Virginia State Parks: Pipestem Resort (December 15), Hawks Nest (January 17 and 18, March 14 and 15; Chief Logan Lodge (February 14) and Blackwater Falls (April 25).  These theaters include The Love Beads – A murder mystery, Grace O’Malley, and A County Music Murder.