Serving Barnwell County and it's neighbors since 1852
Circle Theatre’s new Southern comedy is a recipe for laughter.
“The Red Velvet Cake War” focuses on the three Verdeen cousins – Gaynelle, Peaches and Jimmie Yyvette – who are planning a family reunion while dealing with small-town gossip over their outrageous antics, such as Gaynelle crashing her minivan through the bedroom wall of her husband’s girlfriend’s doublewide.
“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!” states a synopsis of the play.
Following the near sellout success of Circle Theatre’s 2024 production of “The Savannah Sipping Society”, co-director Renee Owens fell in love with “The Red Velvet Cake War” script, which was written by the same writers.
“I thought it was hilarious, the characters were quirky, and it would be appealing to our audiences,” said Owens, who is joined by co-director Dennis Knapp. “From a camera-happy cousin taking pictures of the deceased to the stubborn aunt who thinks everyone should do as she says, each character adds layers of uniqueness to the family.”
Bringing those characters to life on the Barnwell stage is a cast of locals.
“We have an incredible cast with a good mix of experienced, familiar veterans to fairly newcomers that have added to making this show a success! They've dug in and learned their lines, got their blocking down and it's coming along ahead of schedule!” said Owens.
Being this is a play about a family reunion, it's fitting that the cast includes several pairs of real-life family members.
“We love working together on this play or any play. There are several husband-and-wife duos in this one. As for me and Susan, it just gets us out and about away from everyday life to share some laughs and to come together with other like-minded people in the theater to make these plays happen. It’s a lot of fun,” said assistant director/producer Chris Sandifer, whose wife Susan plays CeeCee.
“It’s a good, old Southern comedy where the audience can sit back and laugh. Not only at the humor of the play but that each family probably
has a family member that’s exactly as portrayed in the play. Just some good stuff,” said Susan.
While Randee White and his wife Nancy Knopf are Circle Theatre veterans, this play marks the first time the husband and wife have had dialogue together onstage.
"She is trying to woo my character, and I’m supposed to not be interested,” said White.
“We’ve acted in previous plays together, but we never had scenes together. We’ve directed/produced together but this is a whole new adventure. He has to use his very best acting skills because I spend a lot of time flirting with him and he has to act like he doesn’t like it,” said Knopf.
The play is full quotable, hilarious lines, so Knopf and White hope to bring a little laughter to audiences.
“Sometimes life is hard, and people disagree on many things, but one thing we can all agree on is funny, and this play is funny on top of funny. I hope people come out and forget whatever is ailing them for an hour and a half and just laugh...because it is laughter that keeps us young,” said Knopf.
For Greg and Mary Ann Walkup, this is the second time they’ve been onstage together. MaryAnn's sister, Martha Sue Fields, is also part of the cast.
“If anyone has ever been dragged to a family reunion, they will surely recognize someone in ‘Red Velvet Cake War’. In our family, it is usually the potato salad or corn light bread that everyone competes with. It isn’t work, it’s our life put on stage,” said Mary Ann.
Greg said the play is “pee in your pants funny!”
Working with her sister and brother-in-law, along with the rest of the talented cast, has been a fun experience for Fields.
Greg, Mary Ann and I did a scene in my very first play that I think was one of the funniest ever and this play is the same. Greg and I have two that we do together and it's hard to get through them without laughing! Mary Ann is stage manager so she gets things set up for us all. She got my costumes and helps Greg and me run lines. Her character part is tiny but so funny in this one!” said Fields.
In addition to the laughter, Fields said she hopes the play will make audiences “appreciate their own family reunions when they see this Verdeen bunch.”
The other real-life couple involved in the production is Chuck and Caroline Randall. Caroline is a veteran of the Barnwell stage, but this marks Chuck's second play.
"It's hilarious and relatable to people in the south. From beginning to end, there’s so many antics that you won’t leave without laughing," said Caroline.
Rounding out the cast are Brenda Chorn, Dan Anderson, Dawn Snead, and Virginia Nettles.
As they wrap up two months of practice, the cast and crew are ready for audiences to sit back, relax and laugh. This is one family reunion you don’t want to miss.
“I love the storyline. People should come see it for the non-stop hilarity! It is going to be hard to keep the lines going because of the audience’s laughter, which is a good thing! After all the rehearsals, we still find. ourselves losing it and laughing. Everyone has worked so hard, and I am honored to work with such wonderful and talented thespians!” said Chorn.
“The Red Velvet Cake War” opens next Friday, Feb. 28 and will entertain audiences during six performances – Feb. 28, March 1, March 7 and March 8 at 7 p.m. with Sunday matinees on March 2 and 9 at 3 p.m.
Tickets are $20 and can be purchased at The People-Sentinel’s office (22 Burr Street, Barnwell) or online at https://circle-theatre-of-barnwell.square.site/ .
