Over the last 18 months, a generation of young cooks entered the kitchen as novices and began perfecting skills in bread-making, baking and cooking. For one celebrity chef, the at-home DIY spirit was just the start of what’s to come—and the main reason he’s getting back on the road now.

Almost as soon as quarantine went into effect, Food Network star Alton Brown and his wife Elizabeth Ingram began connecting with fans virtually, going live on YouTube once per week while making dinner. That weekly dinner turned into the show Quarantine Quitchen (also known as “QQ”), which quickly gathered a fanbase all its own.

On Monday, Brown brings his 30+ years of experience to San Jose’s Center for the Performing Arts for “Alton Brown Live: Beyond the Eats.” The show is one of Brown’s specialties: a live culinary variety show, bringing the science, heat and satisfaction of the kitchen to novice cooks and expert chefs alike—now with the additional spice of his and Ingram’s work on Quarantine Quitchen.

According to Brown, the show that has become a “sleeper hit” was originally only meant to be a joyful time with his wife. Now, however, he looks forward to translating that joy live on tour.

“I think some of [QQ’s popularity] will be coming with us because Elizabeth is in the show,” he said, noting his wife plays bass live in the show. “She’s garnered quite a few fans who will no doubt be in the front few rows. That’s a new and unexpected development.”

After nearly two years off the road, Brown is happy to be back creating a flavorful blend of science, comedy and creativity on stage in a show he was busy working on from his home-base in Marietta, GA throughout the pandemic.

Another thing that kept him busy the last year and half, and helped him to prepare for tour? Two words:

“Gin martinis.”

Beyond simply being a classic drink, the martinis might have been a somewhat necessary preparation for the road ahead, as Brown shared with Metro that he’s both terrified and exhilarated by the chance to be back on the road again. Prior to the pandemic, Brown had become known for his live culinary reality show tours, including “Eat Your Science” and “Edible Inevitable.” While touring may look slightly different now, he says he’s desperate to reconnect with the people that helped make him a household name—all while being as safe as can be.

“It is a not-so-brave new world out there and dealing with Covid responsibly is going to be a full-time job,” he says, cautiously. “That said, I can’t wait.”

Though the couple didn’t have much time off during the pandemic, Brown is excited by what he learned at home, including one fact he had previously overlooked: that his wife is a great cook. He admits it was “kinda embarrassing” not to have realized that prior to quarantine, but believes everyone has been learning a lot in their own homes lately.

“I think more people are cooking than ever before, and I think a lot of people have discovered online sources for great ingredients, like frozen, sustainable seafood from Alaska,” Brown said. “People are cooking more ‘staged’ dishes that require multiple steps taken over a longer chunk of time—sourdough baking being a prime example.”

While many new chefs focused on perfecting their own culinary prowess during quarantine, Brown is sure that fans will still enjoy experiencing his expert balance of culinary creativity and live entertainment on his tour. And though he isn’t giving away any surprises, he does hint that this year he’ll have “something completely new that…I can’t talk about.”

Nonetheless, fans at CPA can expect everything Brown has become known for: “goofy food songs, storytelling, and strange and often large food demonstrations.”

And, of course, after a year and a half of quarantine, this cook already has the oven on, warming up for what’s to come next.

“I’m carving some twists and turns into the road ahead,” he says.

Alton Brown Live: Beyond the Eats
Mon, 7:30pm, $43+
Center for the Performing Arts, San Jose

How much is there left to be said about Hamilton? At this point, it is easily the most culturally salient Broadway show of this writer’s lifetime, the hip hop tale of the orphan Alexander Hamilton, who rises from poverty to become one of America’s founding fathers. Back when it was brand new, the greatest sign of wealth one could display was getting Hamilton tickets. Now more financially accessible than ever, San Jose Broadway brings a three week run of Hamilton to the South Bay for the first time, ready to light things up like its 2015 all over again! As King George says, “You’ll Be Back.”

Hamilton
Opens Tue, 7:30pm, $50+
CPA, San Jose

The print edition of this story incorrectly listed Alexander Hamilton’s historical role. The editor would like to apologize to his high school history teacher, Mr. Hicks, for the error.

The genius of Mystery Science Theater lies in its simplicity. Essentially, it’s a well-rehearsed trash-talking sesh—the kind of riff-fest that good friends have been enjoying over cold beers and bad movie reruns for decades. The brainchild of actor and comedian Joel Hodgson, Mystery Science Theater 3000 (MST3K) follows a janitor trapped by mad scientists and forced to watch ridiculous B-movies as a part of a harebrained plot to take over the world. To stay sane, the janitor enlists some robot friends to join him in mocking various (and preposterous) sci-fi titles.

Mystery Science Theater
Thu, 7:30pm, $38+
San Jose Center for the Performing Arts

Men wrapped in blue second skins, like The Watchmen’s Doctor Manhattan, will soon be looking at San Jose audiences with their disconcerting wide-eyed stares. Mere words don’t seem up to the task of describing the Blue Man Group’s latest Speechless Tour, but you can’t mime in print. First, a disclaimer for introverts. You should know that this show includes “large-scale audience participation.” My guess is that “fostering communal moments” means: Plan on playing a tube-based musical instrument. To sum up, your days as a passive spectator are at an end!

Blue Man Group
Fri-Sun, $48+
Center for the Performing Arts, San Jose

Riding high on a Tony Award nomination and favorable reviews, A Night With Janis Joplin takes audiences through the life and career of one of rock & roll’s original leading ladies. The production celebrates Joplin’s biggest hits, such as “Piece of My Heart,” “Cry Baby” and “Me and Bobby McGee.” The show will also consider the work of her biggest influences, including Aretha Franklin, Etta James, Nina Simone and Bessie Smith. Written and Directed by Randy Johnson, the show features Mary Bridget Davies, Amma Osei, Ashley Tamar Davis, Tawny Dolley and Jennifer Leigh Warren.

Janis Joplin Experience
Wed, 7:30pm, $45+
San Jose Center for the Performing Arts

When Wicked comes to town, crowds flock to the theater like it’s the Emerald City. This beloved Broadway musical, which premiered in San Francisco almost 14 years ago, tells the story of Elphaba, a bold gal with a mossy complexion—long before she was known as the Wicked Witch of the West in the Land of Oz. Accompanied by a critically acclaimed score, featuring songs such as “Popular,” and of course, “Defying Gravity,” the witches of Oz will spin a radical narrative about their origins, friendships and differences. The show runs through Sep. 8 at the SJCPA.

Wicked
Thu, 2pm, $49+
San Jose Center for the Performing Arts

Mom and dad can never really be sure what the kids are learning at school. Based on the Jack Black-starring film of the same name, this Andrew Lloyd Webber musical brings Richard Linklater’s 2003 film to life on stage. Booted from his band, Dewey Finn’s gotta make rent. Posing as his substitute teacher friend and roomate, Ned, he finagles a job at Horace Green School. With the big Battle of the Bands approaching, he enlists his students to back him up. Life lessons ensue—in song form. Highlights include “Stick it to the Man” and “Give Up on Your Dreams.” Runs through June 9.

School of Rock the Musical
Tue, 8pm, $43+
San Jose Center for the Performing Arts

The times they are a-changin’—indeed. One wonders what Teve the Dairyman would think of this oft-quoted Robert Zimmerman lyric. He’d probably roll his eyes. After all, The Wisdom Books teach us there is nothing new under the sun, including perpetual change. Teve, the central figure of Broadway classic Fiddler on the Roof, is dealing with serious generational shifts as he seeks to reconcile his old-school Jewish convictions with his thoroughly modern daughters’ insistence that they should marry for love. “Tradition,” “If I Were a Rich Man” and “Matchmaker Matchmaker” are among this production’s best-known tunes. Runs through May 26.

Fiddler on the Roof
Wed, 7:30pm, $43+
Center for the Performing Arts, San Jose

For the better part of a century Tom Jones has kept his mojo running strong. A cultural icon, Jones is responsible for some of the biggest pop hits of the past 50 years—including “It’s Not Unusual,” “She’s A Lady” and “What’s New Pussycat.” The later of these took on new life after former Saturday Night Live writer and standup comic John Mulaney turned the song into a hilarious bit. It’s hard to believe Jones would take it too hard. After all the Welsh-born singer has a good sense of humor. Remember when he played himself in Tim Burton’s uproarious sci-fi comedy Mars Attacks?

Tom Jones
Thu, 8pm, $70+
Center for Performing Arts, San Jose

Don’t you dare close your eyes—Broadway San Jose is bringing audiences to fictional, fantastical city of Agrabah, staging Disney’s musical adaptation of the 1992 animated classic Aladdin. With less than two months until the live-action film release, this is your chance to catch an early peek into the Cave of Wonders. The show celebrated five years on Broadway just last month and shares a producer with Disney’s biggest Broadway smash, The Lion King, which gets the live-action treatment this summer. The magic carpet ride runs through April 21.

ALADDIN
Wed, 7:30, $33+
Center for the Performing Arts, San Jose