Taking a Bite Out of a Nicholas Martin
Papa Charlie's Deli Sandwich Celebrates the New Artistic Director of the Williamstown Theatre Festival
By: Charles Giuliano - Jun 21, 2008
Looking up at the unique menu it's fun to match the name and image of the star in question with the ingredients in their sandwich. The latest concoction "The Nicholas Martin" combines pastrami, sauerkraut, melted cheese and mustard on rye. While it hardly compares to a mile high pastrami sandwich at the Carnegie Deli in Manhattan, it's not a bad try for the Berkshires. Like what do they know about pastrami in upscale, preppy Williamstown?
Arriving early for this festive occasion we found WTF publicist, Amanda Dekker, struggling to attach a banner to the plate glass window of the deli. There were some balloons, a table with free cookies and lemonade, while a pianist played show tunes.
Nicholas Martin appeared to be enjoying himself in the spirit of the occasion. But he had some rye comments about the sandwich which he did not himself invent. "I'm Jewish," he explained noting that the "Nicholas Martin" combined meat, pastrami, and dairy, melted cheese. Good grief. Any New Yorker knows that just ain't Kosher. But, heck, Williamstown. Oi vey.
Asked for his feelings about taking over at Williamstown Theatre Festival he was clearly thrilled. He has directed a number of prior WTF productions so he was an obvious choice for the position even though there is concern that he has only been offered a two year contract. "This is my favorite place on earth" he exclaimed. "I just love being here."
This week "The Atheist" which appeared this season at his former venue, the Huntington Theatre Company, in Boston, will open on the Nikos Stage. The following week another highly acclaimed and much anticipated Huntington musical which he directed "She Loves Me" opens the season on the Main Stage.
We asked if there are plans to send some of his WTF shows back to the Huntington. "If they ask us I would be more than happy," he said. "But it is not as easy as you think."
When Martin took over after the termination of Roger Rees there was little time for intensive planning of a season. From now through mid August there are weekly openings alternating between Nikos and the Main Stage. The shows are staged for two weeks and by any measure it is a hectic pace. Particularly with WTF's remarkable legacy. So it made sense to pick up two developed projects from the Huntington and take them to the Berkshires. They were both great hits in Boston and are sure to be successful for WTF.
A station wagon pulled up and Kate Burton, who is currently starring in "Beyond Therapy" joined the celebration. We asked if the deli had named a sandwich for her. The answer was yes but like Martin she was less than enthused by the "Kate Burton" which combines hot ham, cream cheese, onion and tomato. She was not consulted on the ingredients.
That being the case we inquired if she had a favorite at Papa Charlie's Deli? The answer was spontaneous as she blurted out with a huge grin "Yes, the Richard Chamberlain." It combines turkey, Swiss cheese, mayo, lettuce, tomato, onion and cranberry sauce on rye. If Burton is pegged with Hot Ham just what does that combination say about Chamberlain? Hmm. Let's think about that for a moment.
Taking a break I went inside and ordered a "Nicholas Martin." I brought it out and showed it to him. "Oh, so that's what it looks like" he said hamming it up for the photographers. No make that pastrami. Please.
With theatrical flair he whipped out a nip bottle of tequila and proceeded to smash it over the "Nicholas Martin." He explained to a confused onlooker that he was christening the sandwich. Like breaking a bottle of champagne over the bow of a ship as it is launched. But, in this case, he settled on tequila.
It was indeed an odd occasion.