SUNDAY DINNER by Carol Kaufman Segal

           

Theatre 40, in Beverly Hills, is presenting the world premiere of Sunday Dinner, the latest play written by well-known playwright Tony Blake who also directs the very talented cast.  It takes place in the Bronx at the home of the Matera Family (lovely set by Jeff G. Rack).

Michael Matera (James Tabeek) is a young priest in the Chicago Archdiocese who comes home following the death of his grandfather.  A family gathering is planned for a Sunday dinner.  Very shortly after Michael arrives, his father Eddy (John Combs) corners him in order to make a confession to him, hoping to receive absolution from his son.  Eddy is a retired blue-collar worker, and confesses to Michael that he has committed a misdeed that will, undoubtedly, affect the rest of the family.  Well, in reality, it is more likely a crime.  Eddy wants his son to grant him absolution and is appalled by his refusal to do so.  However, Michael has his reasons for his refusal.

      

 Eddy’s wife Rose (Sharron Shayne) and relative Margaret (Michele Schultz) are busy cooking and setting up for the dinner.   Those who will be arriving for the Sunday dinner are Richie (Kevin Linehan) Michael’s older brother, a cousin Flip (Dennis Hadley), and Richie’s former wife, Diane (Meghan Lloyd).

           

Before everyone arrives, we learn that Michael also has secrets that he has not revealed to his family.  He has, at last, admitted to himself that he is gay, but no one in his family has ever suspected it, and he has not yet let them know that he has given up the priesthood (his good reason for denying his father’s request).  Michael’s life is made more difficult because he will have to confront his former sister-in-law with whom he became involved in the past and who still has a crush on him.  This Sunday can certainly be a difficult day for him.

            

At last, when everyone sits down to Sunday Dinner, we soon discover that the Matera family is burdened with many secrets which perpetrates the fact that they are, undoubtedly, an extremely dysfunctional family.  When all is revealed at the Sunday Dinner, will the members of this family be able to understand each other and their problems, or will the Matera Family be destroyed?  

            

The answer can be found at Theatre 40 where Sunday Dinner is playing Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 PM, Sundays at 2 PM through February 16.  The theatre is located in the Reuben Cordova Theatre, 241 S. Moreno Dr., Beverly Hills.  For reservations, call (310) 364-0535, or for tickets, go online at www.theatre40.org.