'Red Velvet Cake War' satisfies craving for Southern comedy

Sunday, January 1, 1905

photo Patti Gross, left, as Cee Cee and Janet McInturff as Gaynelle are featured in the Signal Mountain Playhouse production of "The Red Velvet Cake War."

Cousins Peaches, Jimmie and Gaynelle are planning a Verdeen family reunion in Sweetgum, Texas. If the wacky relatives aren't enough to throw the plans offtrack, tornado season will surely spin things out of control.

Those powerful forces of nature set into motion the Southern comedy "The Red Velvet Cake War," to be presented over the next three weekends by the Signal Mountain Playhouse at the Mountain Arts Community Center.

The play takes its name from the plot's high-stakes wager over who bakes the best red velvet cake.

Brenda Schwab of the Theatre Arts Department at Chattanooga State Community College is directing the production.

The cast is a mix of veteran players and newcomers. Playing the central characters are Lisa Beeching (Peaches), Cindy Procious (Jimmie) and Janet McInturff (Gaynelle). Also featured are DeDe Young (LaMerle), Stephen Roach (Newt), Lisa Parsons (Elsa), Lee Abelson (Aubrey) and Amy Meller (Bitsy). In double roles are Patti Gross (Cee Cee and Mama Doll) and Dennie Wolfgang (Sheriff Lout and Pruvis).

The box office opens at 6:45 p.m., with curtain at 8 p.m. the next three Fridays and Saturdays, Feb. 8-9, 15-16 and 22-23.

The MACC is just off the main mountain road, Highway 127 N., at 809 Kentucky Ave.

Tickets are $14 and can be bought at the door or reserved in advance by calling 886-1959. Dessert and coffee are included in the ticket price.

For more information, go to smph.org or call 886-5243.