'The Red Velvet Cake War' at the Phoenix Stage Company - My Review

The Red Velvet Cake War is a Jones Hope Wooten comedy that opened on Saturday at the Phoenix Stage Company in Naugatuck. Founding partner Ed Bassett directed this very funny comedy that was written by the same team that wrote another Southern-fried comedy The Hallelujah Girls, a show I enjoyed at PSC a few years ago. Mr. Bassett is "back to his tricks with another crazy comedy that's right up his alley (hey, watch it!)" and he has brought to life another hit. I had a complimentary seat for opening night.

The three Verdeen cousins, beautifully played by Patti Paganucci as Peaches Verdeen Bodeen, KC Ross as Jimmy Wyvette Verdeen and Deborah Forish as Gaynelle Verdeen Bodeen, could not have picked a worse time to throw their family reunion.  "Their outrageous antics have delighted local gossips in the small town of Sweetgum and the eyes of Texas are upon them, as their self-righteous Aunt LaMerle is quick to point out. But the cousins can’t back out of the reunion now. It’s on and Gaynelle’s hosting it. Unfortunately, they face an uphill battle as a parade of wildly eccentric Verdeens gathers on the hottest day of July, smack-dab in the middle of Texas tornado season. Things spin hilariously out of control when a neighbor’s pet devours everything edible, a one-eyed suitor shows up to declare his love and a jaw-dropping high-stakes wager is made on who bakes the best red velvet cake. As this fast-paced romp barrels toward its uproarious climax, you’ll wish your own family reunions were this much fun!"

The show required a large number of set changes, with only one side of the stage in use for some scenes, but they were pulled off seamlessly by Brian Elser and a helper. The complicated set was constructed by the director and stage manager Lori Poulin and was cleverly decorated in southwestern down home style.

Cee Cee Wyndham, hostess on a cable access show, was played by the lovely Alana Kingsley (Kill Me, Deadly. ) Ms. Forish, a school psychologist, played the scorned woman who is undergoing a psychiatric evaluation. Ms. Paganucci, who is always so very funny in whatever role she takes on, played the sexy not-quite-widow looking for love. Ms. Ross, who actually appeared in Hallelujah Girls, was a strong comic actress with a dry wit in the great role of Jimmy.

Amanda Bunting, who has not been on the Phoenix stage since A Night in the Theater that I saw during their inaugural season, played La Merle Verdeen Minshew, the loud aunt to the cousins. Helen Adams returned to the Phoenix Stage to play Elsa Dowdall and Denise Whelan made her stage debut as the prissy Bitsy Hargis. Roseanne Elliot almost stole the show as both Cousin Purvis and Mama Doll, both for her outrageous costumes and crazy antics.

Jonathan Ross returned to the PSC to play a one-eyed suitor named Newt Blaylock. Mr. Ross holds the record of appearing as Decker in the PSC's very first production ever, Bleacher Bums. Jeff Savage was a laugh-a-minute as uncle Aubrey Verdeen. Joshua Luszczak appeared as a police officer named Grover.

This very funny play is easy to follow and even easier to laugh at. The war continues until June 29 on Friday and Saturday nights at 8pm and Sundays at 2pm.

During his lengthy announcements before the show, though it was certainly not his longest, Mr. Bassett mentioned some important upcoming events at the Phoenix.

Due to casting difficulties, they have move Just Around the Bend to new dates in the season. This original musical by E. Karl Gallmeyer has now been cast and will be presented Nov. 8, 9, 15 and 16 at 8pm and Nov. 10 and 17 at 2pm. I am glad to see that this piece was not canceled and I looking forward to seeing it.

They are also beginning the workshop process of a new work entitled Strange Bedfellows with a staged reading on July 26 and 27 at 8pm and July 28 at 2pm. The playwright from New Jersey will be in residence for this workshop. Season tickets will be honored at both of these events.