Seattle's Café Nordo invites you to get 'Sauced'

Of all the gin joints in all the world, you had to walk into this one.

No, not Rick's, from the movie "Casablanca." Nordo's joint, in Fremont.

OK, OK, wiseguy. Yeah, we know you don't expect to find a watering hole out of a Raymond Chandler novel in that end of town — a spot where the drinks are cold, the piano's hot and the film-noir doings are about as coherent as the plot of the film "The Big Sleep."

But in the new show "Sauced," Café Nordo has once again taken over a Theo Chocolate warehouse to serve up food and drink lore with music, comedy and a menu created by elusive Chef N. himself (with writer Terry Podgorski and director Erin Brindley).

In Nordo's two previous shows, patrons of the quirky dinner-theater outfit ate several-course dinners, while actor-waiters paid homage to the glory of roasted chicken and the wonders of Northwest seafood.

"Sauced" is all about dames, detectives, deals and a flight of cocktails — four of 'em, artfully designed by Seattle's award-winning bartender Murray Stenson.

You sit at your table, sipping these concoctions (you can order wine or beer instead, but why would you?). And you observe the love triangle developing between world-weary saloon singer-owner Mike (Mark Siano), blonde fatale and chanteuse Charlotte (5th Avenue Theatre regular Billie Wildrick) and Mike's perky business partner/girlfriend Valerie (Opal Peachey).

And, of course, there's an all-seeing, all-knowing bartender, Saul (Ray Tagavilla), on hand, as commentator.

Mike carries a torch for Charlotte that could light up the Seattle metro area. And there's a caper trope that has something to do with a magical elixir somebody stole somewhere for some reason. (If you can't figure it out, don't strain yourself, bub.)

Scripted in mock-pulp poetry laid on mighty thick ("Her hair fell around her shoulders like loose inhibitions"), "Sauced" is a fun diversion that really lights up whenever Wildrick is slinking around like Rita Hayworth in "Gilda," and lending her pretty pipes to old standards ("Love for Sale") and clever new cabaret tunes (composed by Annastasia Workman).

And a tip of the hat to Tagavilla, who delivers wordy, jivey monologues about the history of booze with dry-martini flair.

As for the drinks, they include The Slippage (a lemony Champagne potion), The Secret Kiss (gin, chartreuse, orange bitters), the Box of Nails (bourbon, triple sec, angostura) and a chocolaty brew called Nordo's Ephemera.

Fancy bar snacks (a pickled quail egg, a stuffed jalapeño, spiced nuts, etc.) and dessert are served. And the drinks are calibrated to keep you happy, but clearheaded.

Misha Berson: mberson@seattletimes.com