By Alisha Hagey and Jason Hagey
Salt Lake Acting Company’s production of The Cake is everything you could hope for. There is joy, love, hilarity, heartbreak, struggle, remorse, and humanity. At times whimsical, The Cake is complex and deeply moving. When it could be over-the-top with melodrama, it chooses instead to be honest and complicated, raw and real. In our world of professed black and white issues, The Cake exists in the realm of gray. The issue of gay marriage is a delicate one handled here with true courage and complete empathy. Very few times have I seen a production that explores so well both sides of an issue. The Cake is perhaps the fairest portrayal of all sides of the marriage debate because the writing, acting, and directing believe in human beings as living, breathing entities who only want to do what is best in a world that is oftentimes frustrating with ambiguities.
From SLAC’s press release: “The premise of The Cake regards Della, a woman who is the best baker in her politically red North Carolina town, who is faced with a decision that pits her faith against family. Will she bake a wedding cake for two women – one of whom is as close as a daughter? A refreshing examination of both sides of a passionate debate.”
Bekah Brunstetter (playwright), best known for her work on Starz’s American Gods and NBC’s This Is Us, is a prolific playwright whose works have been performed in prestigious theatres. The Cake is laugh-out-loud funny but wholly real. Brunstetter crafts characters that we all know and love, dialogue that drips with slice-of-life realism and handles situations with complete love for every single individual. She produces no moral center, no perfect hero or villain, yet Brunstetter is grounded in a compassion that transcends reality.
Betsy West (Della) is miraculous. She shines. She exudes excellence in everything she says and does. Her diversity, depth, and delivery are sheer perfection. West is an absolute diamond on stage: multifaceted and gorgeous. I am truly blown away. Whether being transfixed by her opening monologue or being split between giggles and heart-wrenching at the same time, West’s vulnerability is stirring. She is equal parts raw and lovably flawed. If you, like myself, love The Great British Baking Show, then I promise you some truly remarkable moments within the play (including a reference to Paul Jagger’s incredible Bread Lion from 2015). I knew I loved the character of Della from the moment she began talking about competing in the American spin-off with this love in her eyes and voice that spoke of what audiences loved about Paula Dean (butter, butter, and more butter) with what we all grew to adore in Mary Berry. The difference is, West plays Della as completely relatable. You want her to be your aunt, your neighbor, your baking confectioner where you go for a cup of coffee, a hug, and a bit of gossip.
Joe Crnich (Tim), like West, is brave and exposed (in more than one sense of the word). He doesn’t spend much time onstage, but every moment he is with West, Crnich is an excellent match. His Tim compliments Della in every scene. You know people like him. You feel his pain, his emotions, his love, and his anxieties. Being perfectly imperfect, Crnich rises above what could easily be a stereotype in the hands of a less virtuosic actor. Carianne H. Jones (Jen) and Latoya Cameron (Macy) are a wonderful companionship whose oil and vinegar personalities create something delicious to watch. Though they couldn’t be more different in their approaches to life and their perspectives on people, Jones and Cameron are a believably devoted and loving couple who rise above their personal frailties by putting their relationship first. Both characters make mistakes, misinterpret situations and intentions, and Jones and Cameron play the many levels necessary to pull off dynamic performances.
Justin Ivie (Director) allows the actors freedom to make choices, while guiding them through to make stronger and more motivated ones. As a whole, this piece relies on everyone’s talents. You always notice when a piece is lacking cohesion, which is almost always due to directing. This is not that moment. Everything is united – cast and crew working together seamlessly, which is the mark of a deft hand. Ivie gives motivation and vision to the whole of the production.
Ofttimes it is easy to dismiss members of a crew. Jessica Greenberg (Sound Design) has a role that audiences overlook unless there are glaring problems. There aren’t in The Cake. Greenberg creates a soundscape that is touching and timeless. From the first tinkle of the bakery door’s bell to the song choices, sound is an unspoken character. Along with unspoken heroes of crew is Jennie Sant (stage manager). Her queues are flawless. There are subtle nuances to the design of this show where missed queues could have spoiled the moment. With skill, everything falls into place.
Cynthia Fleming (Artistic Director) said, “When looking for plays for our 48th season, my goal was to find uplifting works that wouldn’t leave our audiences feeling isolated in their own viewpoints, and most importantly, to encourage empathy for the world around us.” The Cake, with so much love and a spoonful of butter and sugar, offers the audience a beautiful view into what it looks like in our current climate. It never shies away from struggle and reality, and never loses the opportunity for a well-placed laugh or sideways glance. Truly this is a unique and wonderful evening, one that I am grateful to have participated in. It can honestly be said that I am a better person for having shared this experience with this cast, crew, and audience this evening.
Salt Lake Acting Company Presents The Cake by Bekah Brunstetter
Salt Lake Acting Company – Upstairs Theatre, 168 West 500 North, Salt Lake City, Utah, 84103
February 6 – March 10, 2019, Wednesdays – Saturdays 7:30 PM, Sundays 1:00 PM, 6:00 PM, Additional performances: February 16 2:00 PM, February 19 7:30 PM, February 26 7:30 PM, March 2 2:00 PM.
Tickets: $15 – $44; Student – $15, 30 & Under – $20, Group/Corp Club/Senior – $2
Contact: 801-363-7522
Salt Lake Acting Company Facebook Page
*This show contains mature themes, strong language, and nudity.
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