The "Red Velvet Cake War", the latest production by Palestine Community Theater, is a great success. It is a success both financially and artistically. Is it Branagh's Henry V? No...thank goodness. It's a light dessert of a play with charming performances of a clever script. The primary female lead, Dixie Dorsette, plays a character reminiscent of Lucille Ball on grits. Katherine Newton is cold then hot as Elsa, the lonely psychiatrist. The funniest lines belong to Doug Smith as the elderly Uncle Aubrey. He no longer feels the need, at his age, to use filters on his speech. Doug impresses with his characterization.
All the characters are indeed CHARACTERS, from the the newly legally widowed corpse cosmetologist cousin (Dr. Jan Sikes), the lonely tomboy cousin (Sandra Webb), the wicked old witch of an aunt (Carol Moore), the Martha Stewart of the trailer park (Cassie Severn), and the "hot to trot get outta my way" neighbor (Terri Warren) and her dementia-darlin' mama (Billie Dyer), to the Barney Fife-like deputy (Jim Vincill) and the one-eyed "bait and wig shop" owner (Gerry Goodwin). And where do you put Cousin Purvis played by the talented Olivia Santone? Purvis (well named, by the way) looks like he belongs on Duck Dynasty and acts like he belongs on Six Feet Under- he likes to take pictures of dead relatives and carry the photos around with him.
A good time is had by all. If you're in the area, and haven't seen it...or even if you have...come see it this final weekend, October 11, 12 at 7:30, and Sunday the 13th for the 2:00 matinee.
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