Welcome to Henderson Tessier McGuire & SmytheÕs annual Christmas cocktail party, held at the gracious home of managing partner George Smythe and his lovely wife Buffy. ItÕs The Catering Gig From Hell.

Behind the scenes is Melanie, McKinley CateringÕs supervisor, plating up hors dÕoeuvres and juggling her career as a writer, her ex-boyfriendÕs appearance on the arm of a gorgeous young lawyer and her friendsÕ expectations. Oh, and CynthiaÕs there too, an actress not so happy to be wearing the catering bowtie, sniping at their old roommate Timothy, whoÕs making his first catering appearance in years. EricÕs there too, but heÕs never a problemÑEric is the unflappable uber-caterer. Or is he? ThereÕs Christmas cheer, sex, romance, death, laughter, a vast array of appetizers and a whole lot of vodka and wine. But not for nothing is Mel known asÉThe Catering Queen.

Alison Lawrence is an actor and writer. Alison's previous writing credits include And All For Love, which premiered at the National Arts Centre and bittergirl (Scirocco Drama, 2009), co-authored with Annabel Griffiths and Mary Francis Moore. The bittergirls also co-wrote the self-help guide Bittergirl: Getting Over Getting Dumped, and are now developing bittergirl: the musical. Alison has also written Biff, in which she gave birth onstage; Going For Groceries, a play for a mother and a ten-year-old girl, and is currently writing two new plays: Shannon and Piece by Piece. She lives in Toronto with her two favourite people, Brian and Emma.

Alison Lawrence's profile page

ÒThis playwright knows her canapŽs! If youÕve been yearning to see a well-made comedy againÑyou know, the kind with a beginning, middle and end and a whole lot of laughs in betweenÑthen you ought to run, not walk, to The Catering Queen.ÓÑToronto Star

ÒA woman who coordinates the catering services for an elegant house party deals with friends, lovers and her sidetracked life in this fine comedy/drama. Alison LawrenceÕs script Éis both funny and moving."ÑNOW Magazine