It was light and airy, silly and slick – just the right recipe for Lakeside Little Theatre’s (LLT) 47th season opener on October 1. Written by Caroline Smith and directed by Roger Tredway, “The Kitchen Witches” was an audience grabber from the get-go.
The story about two rival television cooking hostesses being thrown together to vie for the upper hand and the best dressing rooms cleverly incorporated the audience as part of the fun when they became the live studio audience of the cooking shows. Opening night patrons were quick to participate and especially enjoyed cheering when the “applause” sign lit up.
Dominating the first act was a newcomer to LLT, Anne Drake, who plays a somewhat-over-the-hill cooking hostess from the ‘burbs playing a cooking hostess from the Ukraine. Drake as Bobcha and then as Dolly Biddle (her character’s “real” name) held those roles without a hitch and practically without a deep breath throughout – most memorably the bouncy, folksy, friendly and passionate Bobcha. There’s no doubt that we’ll be seeing more of Drake soon – if we don’t, someone just isn’t paying attention.
Dolly’s foil, Isobel ‘Izzy’ Lomax, was played with a skill carved out of supreme talent and impressive experience by Diana Rowland. She truly came off as the prima donna witch – actually, more like b----. Her long lean frame and blond sophistication were a wonderful contrast to the round and rosy Dolly.
Trying to keep the show together and the “witches” apart was Dolly’s son, Stephen Biddle, played by Russell Mack. Mack did an interesting, if subtle, transformation from dork to knowledgeable businessman and handled the histrionics of the two ladies (using the term loosely) with realistic aplomb.
Graham Miller, a veteran of LLT and usually a man of many words, had few (five, I think) in his role as Rob the cameraman. What he didn’t say, his “asides” – eye rolling and body language – said for him.
Director Tredway showed us that he knows his stuff. There was a place in the play, however, when the riotous, farcical story slowed down to a screeching halt. The confession of witch Izzy to Stephen and her deep heartfelt, tearful, guilt seemed out of character and was confusing in view of the play’s intentionally thin plot and shattered the breakneck pace necessary to pull off a farce. It would probably have been better played with Izzy making the confession while maintaining her uppity, edgy and prickly personality. Somehow the tears just didn’t fit and took the fun (the only reason for a farce) out of the experience for a time.
All in all, the audience left the theater having been well entertained by a cast that clearly knew their characters.
The stage manager was Karen Lee and the production assistant Gerri Tredway. Win McIntosh was the assistant stage manager. The attractive set designed by Graham Miller was built by Alex Pinkerton and his crew, Sandy Appelbaum, Richard Bansbach, Brian Selesky, Keith Scott and Rick Freed. Painting the set were Margo Eberly and her crew with Candace Luciano, Peter Luciano, Kathleen Neal, Parker Roe, Keith Coates and Joanie Bell. The properties manager was Joan Lowy with a crew of Gale Bildfell, Joy Rathbone, Shirley Appelbaum and Kathleen Carlson. Have Hammers…Will Travel built the amazing mock-up of a television camera. Zane Pumiglia and Brad Dobko worked the lights and Emma Bergh-Apton designed and operated the sound. Lois Cugini was in charge of wardrobe and Elliot Joachim, Wendy Hamblin and Georgette Richmond were dressers. Maxcine Tate was the hair and make-up coordinator, aided in make up by Christy Wiseman. The videography was by Arden Murphy.
Congratulations everyone. It’s grand to see a great season coming.
LLT’s “No Clue? The Stage Play,” directed by Roseann Wilshere, is already well into rehearsals and hits the stage on November 5.