Players of Utica Presents a Delightful Slice of Comedy, The Red Velvet Cake War
UTICA, N.Y. – Family reunions can be fun, contentious, or chaotic — or all of the above. You’ll certainly find all of that — and more — at the Verdeen family reunion in Sweetgum, Texas, as Players of Utica presents “The Red Velvet Cake War,” which opens the 2025-2026 subscription season on September 5.
Written by Jessie Jones, Nicholas Hope, and Jamie Wooten and directed by Mike Beehm, the comedy invites us to that reunion, which the Verdeen cousins have planned for the worst possible time: the hottest day of July, smack-dab in the middle of Texas tornado season. Throw in a high-stakes wager about who bakes the best red velvet cake (and other craziness), and you have a recipe for a delightfully zany show.
“The play is brimming with hilarious situations and physical comedy that just lend so well to entertaining audiences,” says director Beehm. “The characters are larger than life and the play also has a great message about family and the ties that we make or break with them.”
The talented cast includes Eric Almleaf, Hannah Bangs, Arielle Bennett, Michele Buday, Carl DeFranco, James Karol, Jr., Michaela Kennedy, Tori Peters, Jessie Rogan, and Connie Watkins.
Performances for The Red Velvet Cake War:
- Friday, September 5 at 7:30 p.m.
- Saturday, September 6 at 2:00 p.m.
- Sunday, September 7 at 2:00 p.m.
- Friday, September 12 at 7:30 p.m.
- Saturday, September 13 at 2:00 p.m.
- Sundays, September 14 at 2:00 p.m.
Tickets can be purchased online at playersofutica.org or by calling 315-724-7624. Be sure to order your tickets ASAP to secure your spot – we expect many performances to sell out! And don’t forget to get your subscription to our 2025-2026 Season!
About Players of Utica
Players of Utica is a non-profit community theatre that has been continuously producing shows since 1907. We have engaged over 1 million individuals with affordable, first-class community theatre. Players of Utica is an equal-opportunity organization. For more information and to support or participate, visit www.playersofutica.org … follow us on Instagram: @playersofuticany … BlueSky: @PlayersofUtica.bsky.social … or “like” us on Facebook.
