I’ve never been a fan of reality-based television shows, so I thought seeing a play based on the premise of a “reality cooking show” would be a tricky assignment.
But the tricks were ultimately played on me. Directed by Marian C. Stave, the award-winning French Canadian comedic play, The Kitchen Witches, proved to be a cauldron of hilarious fun at Lompoc’s Embassy Suites.
Lompoc Civic Theatre sets the scene: During the taping of the final episode of Baking with Babcha on cable TV, the newly unemployed Dolly Biddle (on air she’s the loving Ukranian chef, Babcha) heard the name Isobel Lomax, read from a fan letter by her son—also producer/director of the show—Stephen Biddle. Babcha immediately began verbally ripping into her nemesis, but Lomax, also a chef from a recently canceled cooking show, happened to be in the audience.
She rushed on stage, and the two women began verbally sparring. See, the two 50-somethings had both dated Larry Biddle in high school, though Dolly ended up becoming his bride. That didn’t stop him, however, from carrying on an affair with Isobel until he died. The two ladies, once best friends, were now rivals.
Little did they know the arguments on air would prove to be such a success. The sponsor of the station insisted they begin co-hosting a new cooking show, forcing them to work together despite their differences. Thus, a series of delicious disasters, executed with perfect hilarity and comedic timing, is born.
The whole production takes place on a very simple cable cooking show set, organized by Caroyln Joly and Noel Shields. The production comes complete with a live interactive studio audience (the actual dinner guests at the theatre). The space is intimate and warm, accompanied by a soft lighting that emanates a local feel.
Put any two women in such an enclosed space, and drama is bound to happen. Put two domestic divas in the same cooking show, and well, it could be a bowl of badly mixed salad peppered with puns and sprinkled with insults.
Terri Jones, as Dolly Biddle, was absolutely enjoyable to watch. Her transitions between accents and characters were flawless, and her comedic pitches were perfect. Dolly is wacky, loves to snack, and believes a shot of rum would make everything better. Chris Jeszeck, as the uppity Isobel Lomax, adds the extra spice to the already heated dish. She portrays such a perfectly uptight, full of herself, antagonizing character, I was afraid to not like her. I couldn’t help but love the catty banter and constant slip of insults the two characters shoot at each other. This is the type of relationship almost everyone can relate to. There’s always that one person you dislike, but if you were forced together, you could become best friends. A scary thought? Perhaps, but definitely true.
And who didn’t feel bad for Stephen Biddle, played by LCT first timer Cliff Culver? A poor son and producer/director caught in the sour swirls between two women, Stephen is in a position no sensible man would willingly take. Culver has an excellent, projecting voice, and his sense of exasperation and frustration is voiced clearly through his words. Sometimes, I felt it sounded a bit forced, yet that detail represents the entire Stephen Biddle persona: forced jaw-clenched smiles and forced understanding of two women.
The only thing that really took away from the comedic experience was the distraction of the cameraman and stagehand when they were switching stages or maneuvering their positions. But I also took that as a part of the “live studio” taping experience. The cameraman, played by music and theater student Corbin Vickers, needs to get to the perfect position for shooting, and if that means a little disruption, it’s understandable. In fact, the disruption felt so convincing, I almost forgot I was at a dinner theater as opposed to a studio show taping. Well done, silent cameraman.
The best way to describe the entire show is “hilarious.” I fully admit I’m a sucker for bad jokes and cheesy puns, which are the backbone of the writing. The gags weren’t overly done, and the audience reacted well with the characters. The applause echoed loudly as the play ended, leaving the audience satisfied both digestively and comedically.
Sorry that you missed this outrageous recipe? The show may extend through June, though a lengthened run wasn’t confirmed as of press time.
Freelancer Catherine Shen is full. Send comments to Arts Editor Shelly Cone at scone@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in Apr 22-29, 2010.