Della owns a bakery in South Carolina. It’s clear from the onset that making cakes isn’t just a business for her. It’s a joie de vivre. She’s been selected to be a contestant on The Great American Baking Show, and as she describes the sublime experience of creating delectable masterpieces, it’s easy to see why. Her attention to detail, her focus and personal investment in her craft, are a joy to behold. Next we meet Jen and Macy. Jen is returning to South Carolina after moving to New York City. She is engaged to marry Macy, a very sophisticated,
intelligent, African American woman. While Macy is pensive and measured, Jen is impulsive and emotional. She didn’t know she could fall in love with another woman until she met Macy. Jen’s deceased Mother was Della’s best friend, and she’s elated to bake Jen’s wedding cake, until she discovers that Jen is marrying Macy. Then she says she’s too busy at the time of year the wedding is scheduled.
Written by Bekah Brunstetter, The Cake (surely inspired by the Supreme Court dispute) is a surprising drama. It has some outrageously comedic turns, but it’s predominantly serious. Which is not to say grim. It doesn’t have the histrionics or diminishment we might expect from such a struggle. No character is lionized or vilified. The dominance in Della’s relationship goes more to husband Tim, while Macy is way more pushy than Jen. While each character has their quirks and details, The Cake never resorts to stereotyping or caricature. Though it hardly seems coincidental that it happens in the Bible Belt, and Macy is a black activist. Brunstetter though, takes pains to add complications and subtleties. She places the beds of Della and Tim, and Macy and Jen, on the stage at the same time. Comparison by semiotics.
If we had to decide, it it would seem that The Cake is more Della’s story. Her soliloquies are interrupted by the booming voice of the baking show’s celebrity host; denouncing her whenever she considers pleasurable sex. When Macy announces her discrimination on social media, Della is kicked off the baking show. While it’s never suggested that her rejection of Jen’s identity is acceptable, circumstances or “karma” (if you will) certainly punish Della for intolerance. Because the circumstances involve Jen, who she loves like a daughter, Della reconsiders reasoning she previously embraced. Ironically, the fact that she’s been condemned, doesn’t make us feel vindicated. The Cake’s strength is in its humanity. Brunstetter presents a clear dilemma, while preserving respect for the characters, even if they sometimes look ridiculous. What might have easily have become a diatribe was instead, a thoughtful reflection on our similarities as well as our differences.
Uptown Players presented The Cake. It opened August 9th and closed the 25th, 2019. Kalita Humphreys Theater, 3636 Turtle Creek Blvd, Dallas, Texas 75219. 214-219-2718. uptownplayers.org.