Rick Bayless, Windy City Playhouse team up for theatrical project, while chef’s new restaurant is set for Willis Tower

James Beard Award-winning and Michelin-starred chef Rick Bayless is penning a farce, and it’s coming to Windy City Playhouse in 2021.

The yet-to-be-named play revolves around a special event at a well-known restaurant “where everything that could possibly go wrong occurs, sending the restaurant staff into a tailspin. A drunk chef, a couple in crisis, a dishonest health inspector and a spy from a competing restaurant all contribute to chaos with hysterical results,” the official announcement stated.

Bayless has been an ardent supporter of Chicago’s theater community, having starred in “Cascabel” at Lookingglass Theatre in 2014. In addition, the Rick Bayless Foundation has awarded hundreds of thousands of dollars in grants to many Chicago theaters.

In addition, Bayless announced his latest eatery will open in December at Willis Tower, 233 S. Wacker.

The premium open-kitchen, fast-casual restaurant called Tortazo will offer a full menu of made-to-order Mexican food.

“Tortazo is all about offering soul-satisfying food and drinks, and delivering them with generous-spirited hospitality our guests have come to expect,” Bayless said.

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The restaurant’s design will feature artwork from Chicago muralist Mauricio Ramirez, and will be situated inside Catalog, the new five-story retail, dining and entertainment space under development at the base of the iconic tower.

Tortazo joins Bayless’ family of Chicago eateries, which include Frontera Grill, Topolobampo, XOCO, Bar Soìtano, Lena Brava, Cruz Blanca Brewery & Taqueria, Tortas Frontera at O’Hare Airport, and Frontera Cocina in Orlando, Florida.