Echo Theater Company Artistic Director Chris Fields takes
chances. Playwright Beckah
Brunstetter has taken a chance as well with The Cake. This World Premiere play opens doors for discussion by
addressing a moral question that brings each of us back to the way we are
taught. Or, just maybe, the way we have over come our basic education.
For Della (Debra Jo Rupp) Competitive Baker of Della’s
Bakery in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, the excitement of her ‘niece’ Jen’s! (Shannon Lucio) engagement announcement crumbles as it becomes clear that her intended is not the
cute boy she dated in college, but sophisticated and socially acute Macy (Carolyn
Ratteray)!
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| Debra Jo Rupp Photo by Darrett Sanders |
Conflict is the key to great theatre and Brunstetter’s story
does not disappoint. Tackling not
only same sex marriage but the power of social media and the deep roots of
conservative Christian upbringing expanded to middle aged ennui, we have a
multitude of issues to conquer.
On Pete Hickok’s impressive set we first get to know Macy and her modern take
on sugar and meat and the issues of the day that embrace responsibility. Della is excited to learn that Macy is
from New York City! As Macy takes
notes (she’s a writer of articles on line) regarding Della’s basic approach to
life (butter and sugar are fundamental!) as well as the simple construct
that reading the recipe and following instructions is the only way to have your
cake (and by extension one’s entire life) bake to perfection. The imperfection of the dawning of the
age of liberation for minorities of every stripe may be in conflict with her
basic Bible learnings.
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| Carolyn Ratteray and Shannon Lucio Photo by Darrett Sanders |
This is an apt dilemma. The loyalty of love for her best
friend’s daughter collides not only with her basic Christian moral platform,
but we meet Tim (Joe Hart) her busy plumber/septic tank cleaner husband who, as
a good North Carolinian, believes that the Man rules the roost By Declaration.
Della’s frustration with her lack of marital intimacy stays under wraps until
she begins to get it that Macy and Jen truly love one another. What they do in
their bedroom, though aberrant to Della’s upbringing, is, in part, what Love is
all about. More basic moral
conflict arises when Macy and Jen themselves butt up against some deeply held beliefs by
Jen that Macy has never had to deal with. And! vice versa.
Again, we have to be carefully taught.
The fantasy of Della’s imagined appearance on television’s The Great American Baking Show comes to
life when the Godlike voice of “George” (bombastic VO by Morrison Keddie) booms
down in harsh criticism berating Della. His crude questions make her question her own state of affairs.
Her desire to win the competition and to “be on TV!!” brings her back to
her own basic ingredients for her baking that include in every cake and muffin "...angel’s saliva and
good deeds!"
The power of social media bursts onto the scene that
reminded me of a scene in the movie “Doubt” where the analogy of a feather pillow
bursting over an urban space is used to show how rumor and missed
understandings, once unleashed, can never be reclaimed. Overcoming disappointment and finding
fulfillment are not always easy to attain, but this show will not
disappoint. Director Jenifer
Chambers’ delicate hand never shows as these skilled actors tell this important
story.
THE CAKE by Beckah Brunstetter
The Echo Theatre Company
3269 Casitas
Los Angeles, CA90039
Through August 6, 2017
Tickets and Information:
310 307 3753
www.EchoTheaterCompany.com
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