Seared’ Extends Savory Run 

Emotions ran high on opening night for Seared – the kitchen comedy sans kitsch that closes out Ensemble Theatre’s current season as well as artistic director Jonathan Fox’s career at the company. It came from both the smartly cast quartet of actors in the play about art-vs.-commerce and power struggles, but also the audience who fêted Fox with a pre-show standing ovation and then had varying takes on the ending of the tasty production. We’re not going to give anything away here, even though there are enough moments and themes to enjoy even with spoilers. Suffice it to say that Seared has soared to such crowd-pleasing heights that ETC has, for the first time this season, added a Saturday afternoon performance at 2 pm on June 24, the timing of which lets you get warmed up by the Solstice parade before heading indoors at the New Vic to sizzle some more. Details and tickets at (805) 965-5400 or www.etcsb.org.