The Signal Mountain Playhouse production of "Red Velvet Cake War" opens at MACC Friday, Feb. 8. From left are Lisa Beeching as Peaches, Janet McInturff as Gaynelle and Cindy Procious as Jimmie.Signal Mountain Playhouse is presenting the Southern comedy "Red Velvet Cake War" as its winter production at MACC, with showings Feb. 8, 9, 15, 16, 22 and 23 at 8 p.m. Dessert will be served at 6:45 p.m. each night.
Publicity chair Anne Rittenberry said SMPH decided on "Red Velvet Cake War" after the success of "Dixie Swim Club," another Southern comedy written by the same trio of Jessie Jones, Nicholas Hope and Jamie Wooten, which showed at Oak Street Playhouse six months ago.
The plot of "Red Velvet Cake War," which involves cousins planning a family reunion, appealed to the cast and received some of the best reviews of the plays written by Jones, Hope and Wooten, she said.
The play was also selected because it had been 10-12 years since SMPH had produced a Southern comedy, with past forays into the genre to include "Dearly Departed," "Daddy's Dyin': Who's got the Will?" and "Opal's Baby."
"We love these Southern comedies because people really like to laugh at stereotypes of themselves," said Rittenberry.
She said the action in the play is fast paced, the characters are wacky and the humor is broad and involves lots of sight gags.
"It's not a sophisticated social comedy," said Rittenberry, adding that the material is suitable for all audiences. "I think anybody will enjoy it."
While the same talented group of performers often stars in Playhouse productions, this time around several new performers with similar talent are being added to the mix. This is also the first Playhouse production in which Brenda Schwab of Chattanooga State's Theatre Arts Department has served as director.
Stars include Lisa Beeching as Peaches, Cindy Procious as Jimmie, Janet McInturff as Gaynelle, DeDe Young as LaMerle, Patti Gross doubling as Cee Cee and Mama Doll, Dennie Wolfgang doubling as Sheriff Lout and Pruvis, Stephen Roach as Newt, Lisa Parsons as Elsa, Lee Abelson as Aubrey and Amy Meller as Bitsy.
The cost of the play for either children or adults is $14, which includes coffee and dessert.
"It benefits the MACC and the Playhouse," said Rittenberry. "It brings people into the MACC, generates interest in a historic building and lets them know what a nice facility it is."