THE CAKE by Carol Kaufman Segal

            The Cake, a play written by Bekah Brunstetter, had its world premier at the Echo Theater Company in 2017, earning rave reviews and extending for many weeks. For theater goers who might have missed this extraordinary fine production, The Geffen Playhouse has brought the entire production to its Audrey Skirball Kenis Theater.

            Della (Debra Jo Rupp) owns a bakery in Winston-Salem, North Caroline where she is known for her delicious cakes.  She is also a devout Christian.  What does that have to do with her cakes? You might ask.  You are soon to find out.  

            A young woman, Macy (Carolyn Ratteray), drops in to the bakery, but not to make a purchase.  It seems she is waiting for a friend.   Della loves to chat about her cakes, and in doing so with Macy, learns that she is an African American writer who lives in Brooklyn. When Jen (Shannon Lucio) shows up at the bakery, Della is thrilled to see the daughter of her late best friend whom she helped to raise. 

            Jen tells her she is getting married and has come back home to have the wedding where her parents were married.  She also came to ask her if she would make the cake for her wedding.   Of course, Della is thrilled, and yes, she would be very happy to make her wedding cake.  When Della inquires about who Jen is marrying, she introduces her to Macy whereby Della is flummoxed to no end.   Their conversation becomes strained and she hems and haws over the making of the cake until Jen tells her she needn’t do it.  At that moment she can’t refuse.       

            Della can’t get the whole situation out of her mind and finally tells Jen that she is unable to make the cake.  But after doing so, she becomes obsessed over her decision.  Her husband Tim (Rod McLachlan) reminds her that Jen put her in the predicament she finds herself.       

            Della is scheduled to appear as a contestant on TV’s “The Great American Baking Show”, but she begins having strange visions of what her appearance will be like as she finds herself quoting from the Bible rather than giving out her recipes!     

            Jennifer Chambers directs a superlative cast.  The play is not at all overly serious, and Debra Jo Rupp is a natural who makes one feel for her situation while she brings out its lighter moments.  

            The Cake plays Tuesdays through Fridays at 8 PM, Saturdays at 3 PM and 8 PM, and Sundays at 2 PM and 7 PM, through October 21, at The Audrey Skirball Kenis Theater, located in the Geffen Playhouse, 10886 Le Conte Ave, Los Angeles. Tickets are available at the Geffen Playhouse box office, by phone at (310) 5454, or online at www.geffenplayhouse.org.

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