The Red Velvet Cake Wars opened at the Palace Playhouse October 14 and runs through November 13.
The play was written by Jessie Jones, Nicholas Hope and Jamie Wooten. Collectively known as Jones-Hope-Wooten, the trio are among the most widely-produced playwrights in the United States. They’ve built a reputation for southern comedies with strong roles for women. The play premiered in both Johnson City, Tennessee, and in Weatherford on October 8, 2010.
Red Velvet Cake Wars takes place in Texas in the small town of Sweetgum. The outrageous Verdeen cousins are holding their family reunion on the hottest day of July, in the middle of tornado season and everything spins out of control.
The plucky play includes tons of tacky types sporting Texas accents. Nikki Bora is hilarious as self-righteous Aunt LaMerle. Acting has been Ms. Bora’s passion since she was 10 and she has “hit the boards” everywhere she lived. Lisa Shelton shines as frazzled Gaynelle, who is out of sorts after her husband acquires a girlfriend.
Lisa Keating makes a charming Palace debut as cousin Peaches. The funeral home cosmetologist is struggling to decide if it's time to have her long-absent husband declared dead.
Suitably attired Jimmie Wyvette, manager of Whatley's Western Wear, is portrayed in fine form by Sandy D’Amato.
Shelton, Keating and D’Amato are well cast as close cousins united through man trouble, family feuds and wacky mishaps.
Erin Pena adaptly plays Cee Cee Windham, the host of Hospitality House, “number one cable access show in the tri county area.” Cee Cee’s true opinion of her audience is revealed with an embarrassing hot mic mishap.
Victoria Buttler adds her own flavor to the role of busybody Bitsy who competes with cousin Jimmie for the affection of a recently widowed neighbor. Linda Myers’ keen comic timing came through in the role of uptight German psychologist Elsa. Darren Walker is well cast as off kilter Uncle Aubrey Verdeen.
Two Palace board members play a part in this production as well. Palace President Art Rodriguez plays Newt Blaylock, who lost an eye in a baton twirling faux pas and now continues to lose his glass eye. Vice President Russell Jernigan portrays Texas Sheriff Grover Lout. Both displayed stage cred and delivered the goods.
Nick Wigg made his Palace debut as director of Red Velvet Cake War. The play's pace was swift and steady. The exaggerated humor and extensive physical activity on the intimate stage went off without a hitch. Kudos to Wigg for smart casting.
Where does the cake come in? A high stakes bake off culminates at the Verdeen reunion. I found a bit of Texas trivia about the southern dessert. In 1922, Adams Extract & Spice Company relocated from Michigan to downtown Austin. The company was one of the first to sell red food color and other flavor extracts used in Red Velvet cake recipes.
The Red Velvet Cake War is a lightweight community theater production. Preposterous scenes and the peculiarities of the Verdeen family make it a recipe for mindless escapism with a few good chuckles. Fine acting and smart directing make up for the so/so script.
Go to georgetownpalace.com for tickets or call 512-869-7469.
dwyer@wilcosun.com