Stage Right by Rachel Breneman

“The Kitchen Witches,” written by Caroline Smith and directed by Brian Mattson, is written as a comedy but has deeper underlying themes of forgiveness and the complexity of family dynamics. The cast of four pulls off the comedy without a hitch, and are a fun group to watch on a brightly colored set with fun props and enough costume changes to keep things interesting.

The first act opens with Dolly Biddle, played by Rebekah Sousa, as she is on her final episode of a cable access television cooking show. She is in her brightly colored studio kitchen when her long-time enemy, Isobel (Izzy) Lomax enters the picture, played by Elizabeth Harty. The live-television brawl that ensues gets the two a new joint television show, and they reluctantly agree to work together. The dynamics between Dolly and Izzy are great — much of the comedy centers on the interaction between these two, including some great zingers. What unfolds when the two decide to work together includes some surprising twists and turns as well as some well-placed clever references to Albert Lea’s own businesses throughout the play.

Stephen Biddle, Dolly’s son, is played by Patrick Menning. As the live announcer and production manager of the cable show, he is caught between pleasing his mother and filling the demands of Izzy, all while acting as referee to their spats. Throughout the play, Stephen provides comic relief, both with his side commentary as well as during interaction with the other characters. He is the glue throughout the whole story, and also the axis around which some unexpected drama unfolds.

Sue Runden plays Sue the camera chick. She has a role in the fun audience participation that takes place throughout the play in a few ways. Sue does a great job supporting the other actors, though she does so without a single line spoken!

Since the story revolves around a cooking show, the set remains mostly the same throughout the play, which works well. The television studio kitchen set-up allows the cast to interact with each other across the stage without distraction and provides enough movement and use of props to keep the visuals interesting. Real food is used throughout the play, and is even used as comic relief in a few instances.

The tension between the characters shifts as the story evolves. Without giving the story away, there is a food fight, an Iron Chef-style competition, a medical emergency, some fun accents and a heart-to-heart that leads to the surprise ending. All of the events keep the play moving along and entertaining.

The play does have some mild adult language and themes, so use discretion when deciding to bring young children.

Catch a performance today, Saturday and Sunday, and Wednesday to May 14 at the Marion Ross Performing Arts Center, at 147 N. Broadway, Albert Lea.

 

Rachel Breneman is a dietitian at Hy-Vee in Albert Lea.