After spending most of her life supporting her family and helping them achieve their dreams, a newly widowed woman sets out to redefine herself through new adventures, personal growth, and newfound independence, ultimately uncovering a purpose all her own. From the “kitchen” of playwright Ei leen Mandell comes Prologue Theatre’s production of Sweet, Salty, Bitter, Sour — a one-woman show starring Jane Petkofsky as Eileen, telling stories and vignettes from the author’s life.  Jane Petkofsky as Eileen in ‘Sweet, Salty, Bitter, Sour.’ Photo montage courtesy of Prologue Theatre. The production’s set is a fully functioning kitchen, complete with a working sink, refrigerator, and oven, adding an impressive layer of authenticity to the performance. Actress Jane Petofsky prepares a quiche and a strudel live onstage, having learned to make the dishes specifically for the role. The result is a uniquely immersive experience, made all the more charming by the aromas of fresh cooking that fill the theater. Beyond its realism, director Jason Tamborini and assistant director and stage manager Daniel Nie made a great choice, for the kitchen set serves as a vessel for memory, inviting audience members to project their own experiences onto the space. For me, the collection of plates on the wall recalled my grandmother’s kitchen, transforming the set from a stage into something deeply personal. Emma E. Smith’s lighting design was simple — a well-lit kitchen was perfect enough, along with occasional recordings from Julia Child, reminding us that cooking can be an expression of love.   Petkofsky carries the audience through Mandell’s life with a seamless and engaging narrative, weaving together stories of her husband, her beloved grandmother, or “Bubbe,” her children, and her friends. While each anecdote contributes to the richness of the piece, its most powerful moments center on her husband’s illness and the profound transformation she undergoes as she takes on the role of caregiver. These scenes are especially affecting, capturing both the emotional and practical realities of caregiving with honesty and grace. As someone who witnessed my own father battle cancer, I found these moments difficult to watch at times. Yet it is precisely this emotional authenticity and shared humanity that give the play its greatest strength, allowing it to resonate deeply with audience members who have experienced similar loss and caregiving journeys.  I have always said jokingly that there is not much difference between an Italian and a Jewish mother; the food is different, the guilt is the same. Food can shape our lives in so many ways. It’s there through every important life event — birth, death, weddings, milestones. I’m reminded of Harper Lee’s quote in my favorite book, To Kill a Mockingbird: Neighbors bring food with death and … with sickness and little things in between.” The memories of food and our favorite dishes or meals shape our lives in ways we never anticipate, proving that life can be sweet, salty, bitter, or sour. Petofsky’s statement at the end of the play, “Let’s eat,” says a mouthful.  Running Time: 80 minutes, no intermission. Sweet, Salty, Bitter, Sour plays through November 8, 2026, at Prologue Theatre, 6408 Williamsburg Blvd, Arlington, VA. Prologue performs in their rehearsal space behind CVS in the Williamsburg Plaza — see their helpful directions here. Performances are at 7:30 pm on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays and at 4:00 pm on Sundays, with a special 2:00 pm matinee on Saturday, October 31. Tickets are $20–$35 and available online.  Sweet, Salty, Bitter, SourWritten by Eileen MandelDirected by Jason TamboriniAssistant Director and Stage Manager: Daniel NieLighting and Sound Supervisor: Emma E. Smith ...read more read less