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Theater Review: 'Sheet Cake Sliding' At Theatre Of NOTE

Leslie Lee |
September 24, 2013 | 6:59 p.m. PDT

Staff Reporter

The cast of "Sheet Cake Sliding". Photo by Eric Gutierrez.
The cast of "Sheet Cake Sliding". Photo by Eric Gutierrez.
A relentless businessman, the American Dream, a dysfunctional family, and the looming destruction that ensues.

Stacia Saint Owen’s “Sheet Cake Sliding,” now playing at Theatre of NOTE in Hollywood, provides an unsettling, yet insightfully penetrating interpretation of family life and societal values—exposing what lies beneath the façade of the American Dream. Storytelling at its finest, the play ends, quite literally, with a bang.

Set in the 1990s, an ambitious man's (Trevor H. Olsen) attempts at carving out the perfect life he had always envisioned for himself, but his plans quickly go awry. John Jones, who epitomizes the self-made American, tolerates nothing less than perfection when it comes to his career, financial situation, and family.

However, Jones' relentless pursuit for perfection consumes him and wreaks harmful effects on both his family and his sense of control. His desire to transcend his penniless origins and to secure a brighter future for his children and himself turns Jones into an overbearing father and delusional idealist. Jones fully experiences the consequences of unchecked ambition as his fantasy of success in the "land of opportunity" crumbles at his feet.

His story resonates with middle class Americans' struggles to climb the capitalist ladder, and exposes the ugly underbelly of American family life. Along with director Nicholas Newell’s innovative use of stage blocking and placement of the actors during confrontational scenes, Owen’s biting and dark humor, which is laden with sexual innuendos, succeeds in telling an intriguing story that keeps the audience drawn in until its calamitous end. 

Director Nicholas Newell's dynamic use of props, lighting, visuals,  and sound effects makes "Sheet Cake Sliding" a truly compelling theater experience that viewers will remember time and time again for its artistic merit and profound messages.

The set itself (designed by Christopher Scott Murillo) is very charming, with its eclectic assortment of props and small intimate setting, reminiscent of a colorful, little doll house. Though visually stunning, the whole stage is oftentimes placed under the spotlight, splitting the focus between a multitude of interactions onstage rather than on the main dialogue. Additionally, the staging grew confusing at times, with so many things to focus on that it was impossible to discern what was important.

Fortunately, the music more than makes up for the show's deficiencies. The score, composed by Cat Chengery, begins with cheerful, almost Disney-esque melodies that gradually became a more dissonant meshing of sounds to duly reflect the increasing disorder within the Jones’ family. 

Not to mention, the acting is phenomenal. While a few lines may have been missed, Tony Olsen's performance as the money-crazed John Jones is overall very convincing. The portrayal of Jones is so three-dimensional in its complexity, a fully-fleshed out character consisting of many facets, it is difficult to determine whether he is worth of our rebuke or pity.

The weightiness of his character is adeptly offset by the light-hearted ditziness of his affectionate wife Cindy Jones (Jennifer Flack), who elicits quite a few laughs from an audience in need of some comic relief. Their incisive exchanges and animated banter as husband and wife makes the dialogue all the more engaging, especially due to their sharply contrasting personas. 

Despite minor flaws in the technical execution, the play is extremely thought provoking in its reflection of the rift between generations, the pursuit of an unachievable ideal, and familial conflict. 

"Sheet Cake Sliding” is chock full of witty dialogue and bouts of sardonic humor,but also definitely has its poignant moments. Capable of evoking an emotional response and providing a new perspective, the play is most definitely a must-see.

"Sheet Cake Sliding" is playing at Theatre of NOTE (1517 North Cahuenga Blvd., Hollywood) through October 19. Tickets are $20. For more information, visit TheatreOfNOTE.com.

For more theater coverage, click here.

Reach Staff Reporter Leslie Lee here.



 

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