by Claire DeMarco
If you think that men never talk to other men about diverse, personal topics, you’re wrong.
Four retirees gather at the local McDonald’s to ostensibly play chess, but generally they end up engaged in rather diverse commentary. Topics like racism, ageism, and personal problems often take center stage. Many of the discussions are delivered with humor (sometimes not).
They are at the age where they all have more of the past behind them than the future ahead of them.
Eddie (Art Terry) is convinced that his wife wants to kill him. She did, after all, point a knife at him.
Marty (Sheldon Ingram), a moral man and a Christian, is usually a mediator in any situation that gets out of hand.
Always on the quiet side is Hank (John Reilly), the guy who sets up the chessboard each time they all play.
And then there’s Joe (Alex Morris), flamboyant and blustering, who, although retired, still has his hands in real estate.
On the periphery is Gotdamnit (Kevin Brown), who appears to be homeless and infrequently comes into McDonald’s to grab some money from one of the men to eat.
Eddie, Marty, Joe, and Gotdamnit are black. Hank is white.
Two females (never seen or heard) but often referenced play a part in the gentlemen’s lives. Ms. Brulée recently moved into one of Joe’s habitats. Her delicious coconut cakes are not the only thing she serves. A beautiful, nameless young woman walks by McDonald’s, much to the enjoyment and ogling of our retirees, who rush to the window as she passes.
These five men will all be affected in one way or another by the two females (never seen or heard) and the underlying secrets and knowledge that rise to the surface.
“Coconut Cake” is a wonderful production, a dramedy full of laughs and serious subjects. The actors are a cohesive group, well-balanced and extremely talented.
This production is a “must-see.”
Morris is as dynamic as Joe. He is boisterous, loud, and constantly moving on stage. He’s got some great comedy lines that he delivers with panache. He is demanding and at times overwhelming.
As the unfaithful husband, Terry’s character is both a bit argumentative and certainly defensive, and extremely funny as he attempts to rationalize why his wife wants to kill him.
Ingram’s Marty is the group’s stabilizer. He’s the go-to guy whom the others turn to for advice and support. He is believable as the God-fearing church deacon – structured, supportive, moralizing.
Reilly’s characterization of Hank as a rather quiet, sad man who doesn’t do much talking initially transitions into a more vocal character who inserts himself into ongoing conversations.
Brown plays Gotdamnit as a troubled man on the edge (or already there) of mental dysfunction. His enthusiastic religious display is genuine and believable. He pops into McDonald’s occasionally, providing some comedic moments.
Set designer/carpenter Herb Newsome’s set is so realistic that one can almost smell the French fries.
Director Eileen J. Morris brilliantly choreographs the movements and dialogue of her robust cast.
“Coconut Cake” was written by Melda Beaty.
-CED
“Coconut Cake” is a production of New Horizon Theater, Inc. Performances run from May 28th to June 14th at the O’Reilly Building, Helen Wayne Rauh Rehearsal Hall, 3rd floor, 621 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222. For more information, click here.
