The Cake: "sweet, spicy, and everything in between."

As I entered WWU’s matinee performance of The Cake by Bekah Brunstetter, directed by Eva Gil, Lollipop by The Chordettes filled the space immersing the audience in a nostalgic and comforting classic. Seeing another play, written by another white cishet woman, knowing it was about queerness and its showcasing of conservative values, I couldn't help but tilt my head a little. I can admittedly say that was my first mistake. As the lights dimmed and the music softened, a solitary spotlight illuminated Della, played by Grace Schmitt, the heart and soul of Della's Sweets. As she passionately extolls the virtues of using only the finest, full-fat milk and butter, you can’t help but feel your craving for sugar rise. 

In the past few years, there has been coverage and rage surrounding owners denying gay couples service. Della finds herself in a similar sticky position but with her best friend's daughter, Jen. 

Schmitt has a pulse on Della that drives this story. She embodies Della with an intuitive understanding that propels the narrative forward. Her portrayal infuses Della with humanity, endearment, and charm, captivating the audience from the outset. With the arrival of Macy, portrayed by Ella Newborn, Della faces a challenge that forces her to confront her own beliefs and biases. Macy, a liberal journalist unafraid to challenge Della's prejudices, emerges as a formidable presence. The playful energy Schmitt and Newborn emit makes the opening scene a hoot. It felt like a volleyball match and as Jen, played by Cassi Kiger, enters her hometown bakery we begin to watch the ball drop… Jen and Maci are engaged. Being sat in the center of the room, this visual of Della’s face dead center of the couple's bodies was a gorgeous picture that highlighted the true conflict in the room, Della herself. 

As the play moves forward, we meet Tim, Della’s husband. As this man lay in bed, I about forgot it was Ian Frank, a face that is familiar to the local Bellingham theatre scene. His performance of a gritty, conservative, and complex character paired with Gabi Kowicki’s stellar Hair and Makeup design, added depth to Tim, revealing layers of emotion and conflict that drive Della in her search for reason. I was floored by Frank’s performance. He provided a charm to Tim that allowed me to see what’s underneath that rough exterior. Schmitt and Frank work in tandem to showcase the complications of love and what unravels to keep it sweet, spicy, and everything in between. 

In Jen's struggle, I found echoes of my own experiences grappling with the complexities of familial relationships and the longing for understanding and acceptance. Kiger's portrayal of Jen's journey resonated deeply with me, capturing the universal yearning for connection and the ache of unresolved emotions. As Jen navigates the delicate balance between past and present, her quest for belonging becomes a poignant reminder that honoring doesn't have to be a difficult search, but rather an acknowledgment of the threads that connect us to our history while embracing the possibilities of the present.

WWU’s rendition of The Cake was filled with joy, and heartache, and was one of the most honest pieces of work I have seen grace WWU’s season selection in all of my 4 years of attending university. 

If you are interested in purchasing tickets, they have a whole other weekend and are hosting a Queer Community Night on April 25th at 7:30 pm. More information and tickets to see The Cake by Bekah Brunstetter, directed by Eva Gil are located here.